The 2019 NBA 3-Point Contest lineup is set.
Last year's champion and Phoenix Suns star guard Devin Booker will return to defend his title against Portland Trail Blazers guards Damian Lillard and Seth Curry, Toronto Raptors shooting guard Danny Green, Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Harris, Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield, Milwaukee Bucks guard Khris Middleton, Dallas Mavericks power forward and future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki, and Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker – capped off by the always threatening Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who will be making his sixth appearance in the event.
The 2019 3-Point Contest participants. #NBAAllStar
-Devin Booker
-Seth Curry
-Stephen Curry
-Danny Green
-Joe Harris
-Buddy Hield
-Damian Lillard
-Khris Middleton
-Dirk Nowitzki
-Kemba Walker#Clippers' Tobias Harris, who finished 3rd last year, did not receive an invitation. pic.twitter.com/lX6wFk6v2P— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 6, 2019
Rivalries began to flare last week when Damian Lillard predicted that he would steal the competition away from the Curry brothers in their hometown of Charlotte.
“I’m shooting against the Curry’s in they hometown… I’m going to win, I’m in there to win.” — @Dame_Lillard
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) January 29, 2019
Though Stephen Curry is always a favorite to win the contest with his high volume shooting, Lillard will have plenty more participants to overcome in a loaded pool of players.
Dirk Nowitzki may be competing in his final event of the All-Star festivities, but don't be so quick to rule out the Mavs legend, even in such a guard-heavy competition. He has a 38.2 3-point percentage over his 21-year career.
Kemba Walker will be representing for all of the Hornets fans in attendance, hoping to perhaps pull off a hot streak to contend with the human snipers that are in the mix. Walker's averaged a career-best 24.6 points this year, shooting 35.9 percent from deep on 3.2 threes made per contest.
The 3-point shootout will take place on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. ET on TNT.