A new report has revealed that some people inside the Pittsburgh Steelers organization think rookie quarterback Drew Elar is very similar to a certain Super Bowl-winning QB. And this is a good and bad thing.

While all signs point to the Steelers finally coming to terms on a new contract with future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers as their starting signal caller in 2026, the franchise did invest a draft pick at the position last month. With their selection in the third round (76th overall), Pittsburgh took Penn State QB Drew Elar.

Going in Round 3 shows how much talent the Steelers’ talent evaluators see in him, considering he only played six games last season after suffering an ankle injury. Well, on Saturday morning edition sports centerESPN’s Jeremy Fowler raised expectations high by making an intriguing revelation.

An NFL insider claimed that Allard “reminds one team executive of a young Joe Flacco.” Steelers decision-makers are very impressed with his size, smarts and his NFL-ready arm. The big strengths of his game are his in-the-moment decision-making and his footwork.

However, Fowler says many inside the organization believe new head coach Mike McCarthy is great at QB development and can get Elar to where he needs to be to become a starter one day.

Drew Elar’s comparison to Joe Flacco is both good and bad.

There are far worse players than Flacco. The quarterback has roamed the league for 18 seasons. Playing for six different teams. He has been on several playoff teams, and played a notable role in the Baltimore Ravens’ last Super Bowl victory in 2012. He also has a great arm, and that’s why he continues to get jobs in the NFL even at the age of 41.

But plenty of fans also know the less attractive parts of Flacco’s game. During his peak, he would almost certainly post double-digit interceptions every year and only twice threw 25 or more touchdowns in a season. Since 2018, he has become one of the league’s premier backups for good reason because even though he is a good starter in the short term, the warts in his game always show up eventually.

Comparing Drew Elar to Joe Flacco isn’t terrible. But for Steelers fans hoping that maybe he could be developed into a franchise QB, it might not be the best thing they’ve heard so far from the rookie QB.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Through three games, atlanta hawks saved by a hair’s breadth new York Knicks As they took their lead in the series to 2-1. There was another nervy situation at the end of Game 3, but the Hawks were able to prevail in the end and win 109–108.

A number of players have been instrumental in the team’s performance in the series, one of them being Jonathan Kuminga and his impact on the bench.

Kuminga had a good performance in Game 3, but some fans are still looking at a small step he made in Game 2, which helped the Hawks steal a lead on the road.

On one of the final possessions where Nickeil Alexander-Walker swiped the ball from Knicks captain Jalen Brunson, Kuminga was seen pushing his teammate toward Brunson in an effort to give him better position.

That strategy may have worked, because the Hawks got the steal and scored on the other end.

Jonathan Kuminga credits Draymond Green for winning strategy against New York Knicks

After the game, Kuminga, who will earn an average annual salary of $23,400,000 in the 2025–26 season, credited Draymond Green for his instincts to make that play.

Speaking to journalist Kevin Chouinard after the matchup, Kuminga praised Green as the source of that strategy.

“I’m going to give my praise to Drummond,” Kuminga said. “Growing up around him and watching him, I’ve seen him do it a lot of times. He’s one of the best at doing it.”

He added, “It’s something I’m not thinking about in the game, but watching someone do it over time, sometimes it just clicks.” “Nickel was still in good shape because he was able to get steals, especially with the way Nickel was playing defense.”

The Hawks sent Kuminga to help Brunson on key defensive possessions in Games 2 and 3.

When Brunson stopped for a turnaround at the end of G2, I asked him about pushing Nickell Alexander-Walker back.

“I’m going to give my compliments to Drummond.” pic.twitter.com/siPxxmWtkJ

– Kevin Chouinard (@KLChouinard) 24 April 2026

Jonathan Kuminga has been around some of the better players who played the game while he was with him Golden State WarriorsAnd it’s no surprise that he adopted defensive tactics from former teammate Green.

This shows that the power forward is a sponge and he is using his experience to help the Hawks get an edge in the matchup against the Knicks, who have been good in the last two games.

Since his first foray into online journalism in 2019, Peter Okereke has written widely on entertainment, politics and pop… More about Peter Okereke

The Montreal Canadiens host the New Jersey Devils on Sunday night, looking to extend their winning streak to nine games.

Before Sunday, the Habs knew they would have to defeat the Devils in their second game against the club in as many nights to qualify for the playoffs, however, the Detroit Red Wings had the playoff berth clear before they even took to the ice.

By losing 5–4 to the Minnesota Wild, the Red Wings ensured that the Canadiens officially qualified for the 2026 NHL playoffs.

This led to an unexpected lack of punches from the Habs, giving the Devils a 3-0 decision.

For a view from the other side of the rink, be sure to visit our sister site, New Jersey Hockey Now.

Let’s look at the highlights!

lean Startup

The Habs managed to generate only two high-danger chances at 5v5 during 40 minutes of play, while the Devils were allowed to take six high-quality shots.

As a result, the Devils took a two-goal lead into the second intermission on goals from Timo Meier and Cody Glass.

The latter scored a particularly good goal from a strong individual effort.

On a solo mission. pic.twitter.com/TXk9ToOXut

– New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) 6 April 2026

Sparks fly

Montreal’s energy level improved early in the third period, following a vicious strike from Zachary Bolduc that fouled Luke Hughes.

The chaotic play led to a Canadiens power play, not to mention a questionable decision by Hughes when Bolduc began throwing punches while being tackled by a linesman.

Unfortunately, the Habs failed to take advantage on the power play, allowing what little excitement there was to fizzle out quickly. Even though the Canadiens lacked punch for most of the game, they missed three chances to score with the man advantage, eliminating any chance of another comeback late in the game.

Luke Hughes threw punches at Bolduc while he was restrained by the linesman. Not a great look. pic.twitter.com/SLLsQf6lIX

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 6 April 2026

The Montreal Canadiens are back in action on Tuesday facing the Florida Panthers at the Bell Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm ET.

All Montreal Canadiens stats are 5v5, via Natural Stat Trick, unless otherwise noted.

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

The Charlotte Hornets are comfortably in a play-in spot in the Eastern Conference this season, but given the home-court advantage they’ve been getting from the Spectrum Center recently, the seventh seed could be advantageous to get a decisive game on their court. x According to a release from the team, previously released via Twitter, Charlotte is just 18-17 at home this season, but the recent increased interest from fans has been notable.

Hornets PR posted, “With a sellout crowd of 19,450 tonight, the Hornets have now sold out nine-straight games at the Spectrum Center and have a total of 19 sellouts on the season.”

The hornets sit in the middle of the pack this season, which is a far cry from two years ago, when they were last dead. This reflects the impact of an exciting young team, led by LaMelo Ball, who is breaking records and playing a fun brand of basketball for Charlotte.

Charlotte defeated the struggling Sacramento Kings by 44 points on Tuesday night, but it’s not like they’re only having success against lower-tier players. The Hornets also have impressive wins against the Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, and Miami Heat on this homestand. Specifically, the Magic and Heat are two potential opponents for the Hornets in the play-in tournament.

The Hornets conclude their seven-game homestand with games against the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics. If they can continue their winning ways against some of those teams, it may be time to start a more serious conversation about their prospects in the Eastern Conference.

We’re only two races into the 2026 Formula 1 season, and Ferrari has the best race starts on the grid, a driver lineup that most teams would sell internal organs for and a car that’s capable of beating Mercedes on a good day. Scuderia Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur also spent part of his post-race media session in Shanghai drawing a line in the sand over the start procedure controversy. And for once, the Ferrari team principals are completely right to do so.

Backstory matters here. A year ago, Vasseur came to the FIA ​​and said the 2026 start process would be a problem.

“A year ago, I went to the FIA,” Vasseur said in China. “I raised my hand early in the process and said, ‘Guys, this is going to be hard.’ The answer was clear that we had to design the car fitting with the regulation, not replace the regulation fitting with the car.”

Ferrari did exactly that. He created a smaller turbo that spun more efficiently, built a power unit to meet the new regulations, and showed off in Melbourne, with Charles Leclerc going from fourth to first at Turn One. Lewis Hamilton did basically the same thing from the second row in China. Rivals noticed, were outraged, and immediately began lobbying for changes, with George Russell even calling Ferrari “selfish” for preventing further changes in the process.

“We designed the car fitting with the regulation, the five-second change, the blue light story, didn’t help us at all,” Vasseur said, “but I think at one level enough was enough.”

Asked if the case was closed, he didn’t hesitate: “For me, yes.”

Good. This should be stopped. Ferrari identified a problem, raised it through the proper channels, asked for it to be dealt with, and then went and dealt with it better than anyone else in the paddock. Penalizing competence because your competitors didn’t do their homework is not supposed to be the way sporting rules work, and the FIA ​​would now embarrass itself by bowing to that pressure.

Vasseur and the Ferrari project selective outrage

But the thing is, being right about this particular battle doesn’t mean that Ferrari’s relationship with regulation drama has suddenly become healthy. It’s not like that.

The Scuderia has spent the better part of two decades treating the rule book as both a weapon and a crutch, depending on which way the wind is blowing. When the rules are in their favor it’s a matter of integrity of the game. When the rules don’t do it, it’s a political conspiracy. The fact that Vasseur has a legitimate complaint right now doesn’t erase the pattern and it’s hard to miss the pattern when you’re watching it play out in real time.

Mercedes is still ahead. Ferrari is still lagging behind in straight-line performance which matters most at the start. Vasseur candidly acknowledged the deficit, saying the team was “eight tenths off in Melbourne, six tenths off on Friday in China, four tenths off on Saturday” and needed to work on the chassis, tires and engine to close that gap – not just on one parameter. It’s honest self-assessment, and it’s the kind of conversation that shows Vasseur understands where the real work lies.

Ferrari and this cultural malaise

The problem is that in the broader culture of Ferrari there is a gravitational pull toward lateral performance. Hamilton and Leclerc are two of the best drivers alive, there’s real speed in the car, and Japan is coming in 10 days with a circuit that could highlight Mercedes’ straight-line advantage in a way it didn’t in Shanghai. There are legitimate reasons for optimism in Maranello. None of this has anything to do with the politics of the initiation process.

Ferrari’s best path to the championship – their first since 2008 – runs directly through improving Mercedes over the course of the season, not by blocking rule changes that help rivals catch up. Vasseur knows this.

“Racing hasn’t changed,” he said. “All components of the demonstration are still on the table.”

This is the correct framing. Beginners are a weapon right now and there is nothing wrong with using them. Turning them into a season-long narrative, however, is a distraction Ferrari can’t really afford.

Win the argument at the start line. Win the season in the wind tunnel. They are not the same thing.

Scott Gulbransen, a quintessential expert in the field of sports journalism, serves as an editor, nfl , mlb , Formula 1 … More about Scott Gulbransen

On Monday evening, the Atlanta Hawks picked up their tenth consecutive win with a home win over the Orlando Magic. It was an excellent game for guard Nickell Alexander-Walker, who set a career high with 41 points on nine three-pointers, and Jalen Johnson recorded his 13th triple double of the season in the win.

The basketball world has begun to pay attention to the Hawks now that they have posted their longest winning streak since their 60-win season in 2014-15, and one person joining in the praise is former NBA wing Chandler Parsons, who went on FanDuel’s “Run It Back” show to express his thoughts.

“This is the hottest team in the NBA right now… They’re playing their best basketball at the right time,” Parsons said, according to Axe, formerly of Run It Back, on Twitter.

Indeed, NBA teams typically try to prepare in March and April to play their best basketball, which is what the Hawks have been able to do over the past few weeks, losing just one game since the All-Star break.

Atlanta currently sits in eighth place in the Eastern Conference at 37-31, but is just 1.5 games out of the fifth seed, which could be very well within reach if the team continues its winning ways.

Through it all, Johnson has continued to establish himself as a rising superstar following his first All-Star appearance, and Alexander-Walker looks poised to compete for the Most Improved Player of the Year award. If he wins it, he will be the second consecutive Hawks player to win the award, joining Dyson Daniels.

The Hawks will next take the field against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday evening as they look to take their win streak to 11.

Benito Carbone’s football journey spans countries, cultures and generations, but one chapter still stands above all the others: Sheffield Wednesday.

Long before Inter Milan trained the youth and shaped Italy’s next generation, a teammate and a club changed everything.

It was teammate Paolo Di Canio who helped Sheffield Wednesday become a second home. Now he has explained everything to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Paolo Di Canio and the partnership that changed everything

Carbone doesn’t hesitate when he talks about Di Canio. The pair played together for one and a half seasons at the Oval, from August 1997 to September 1998.

Carbone was already at Hillsborough, having joined in October 1996. Di Canio arrived in August 1997, and the connection was immediate. First, there was the famous unveiling photo in which the pair were seen sharing an uncooked frozen pizza. Then the connection came on the pitch.

Together the two Italians formed one of the most creative and fondly remembered partnerships in Sheffield Wednesday’s modern history. In his only full season, Di Canio led the club with 14 goals, while Carbone contributed nine goals of his own.

According to the latter, the connection was immediate, intuitive and almost telepathic.

“Our families were always together, our kids were the same age,” He remembers.

“On the pitch, we understood each other immediately, just one look was enough. Di Canio was the best partner I have ever played with.”

Why did surviving Sheffield Wednesday feel like winning the title?

Yet despite the brilliance of the partnership, Sheffield Wednesday had a struggling season.

There were high expectations following Di Canio’s arrival but instead the Owls struggled for consistency. The club spent most of the campaign fighting relegation, ultimately finishing 16th and surviving by the narrowest of margins.

Most fans don’t remember it fondly, but Carbone has a different take. For the Italian, surviving Sheffield Wednesday was no footnote, it was a triumph.

“Staying at Sheffield Wednesday was like winning the title,” He adds.

An era of the Premier League that produced a footballer

Benito Carbone, perhaps, is looking back on his experiences beyond Sheffield Wednesday. His playing years in England were defined by challenges and successes.

He faced defenders such as Tony Adams, earned praise from Rio Ferdinand and built a reputation as one of the league’s most unpredictable midfielders.

At Sheffield Wednesday, he found freedom, and the partnership with Di Canio brought him joy. Purpose was also added to the fight for survival. And he fondly remembers the time when the Premier League was still being formed.

“It was not such a global league yet, but it was a very tough championship,” He concluded.

“There were a lot of English players there, and the game was all about the second ball: passing, aggression, heart. I had to face very tough defenders like Tony Adams. Rio Ferdinand once told me he didn’t sleep all night before playing against me. What a compliment!”

For Carbone, Sheffield Wednesday was never going to be just another milestone in his career.

It was where football became family and where the help of a teammate changed the course of his life. That’s why survival felt like victory, and that’s why this chapter still means everything.

Momentum continues to build for the Atlanta Hawks as their winning streak reaches a milestone not seen in over a decade. This surge has quickly become one of the most compelling stories shaping the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Atlanta extended its streak to 10 straight wins with a 124-112 win over the Orlando Magic on Monday night. The result improved the Hawks to 38–31 and moved them up to eighth in the standings, solidifying their push for the postseason.

The run is the franchise’s longest winning streak since the 2014–15 season, when the Hawks won a franchise-record 60 games and had a historic 19-game streak. The comparison puts this current group in rare company in team history.

This streak developed during a dominant homestand at State Farm Arena, where the Hawks controlled the tempo and generated consistent offensive production. Wins over the Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando show the team’s ability to close out games and maintain momentum.

CA-CAW!

Hawks have won 10 consecutive games

This is Atlanta’s longest winning streak since the 2014–15 season. pic.twitter.com/JPg2RZ1ZqM

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 17 March 2026

Several players have fueled the uptrend. Jalen Johnson has been particularly impressive, averaging 20.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 8.1 assists over the last 10 games, and recording three triple-doubles during that span. CJ McCollum has averaged 16.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists over the last 10 games, providing consistent scoring and playmaking. Nickeil Alexander-Walker has also contributed significantly, averaging 22.3 points, 3.7 assists and 2.9 rebounds over that span.

Defensively, the Hawks have also improved. Dyson Daniels has recorded 24 steals over his last 10 games for an average of 2.4 per game, while Onyeka Okongwu has pulled down 8.5 rebounds per game during that span, giving the team a strong interior presence.

If this trend continues, the Hawks’ first season struggles will feel like a distant memory as their push for the Eastern Conference standings begins to gain real momentum.

Sandro Tonali’s agent Giuseppe Risso has revealed the inside story behind his move to Newcastle United and why the club’s fans played a key role in helping them recover from their betting scandal.

Sandro Tonali’s departure from AC Milan in July 2023 remains one of the most hotly debated transfers in modern Italian football.

The icon of Milan’s Scudetto-winning side, Tonali was sold for €48m – a deal that ultimately helped the Italian giants complete the 2024 financial year in profit. But this move was sharply criticized by supporters.

The reaction has been even more intense as Tonali has established himself as one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders. Now, Risso has provided a rare insight into how the move was agreed upon behind the scenes.

“This deal happened because a club like Newcastle, with unlimited money, decided to invest in Sandro,” He told football and finance.

“We looked at the idea of ​​getting the player to play at a higher level.”

Betting scandal derails their first season

Tonali’s early months in England were anything but good, as a betting investigation in Italy soon led to a 10-month ban from competitive football.

The suspension, confirmed in October 2023, ruled him out until August 2024 – causing him to miss the rest of the 2023/24 season and Euro 2024.

It was a scandal that rocked Italian football, but Riso says there were no signs of trouble before the move.

“No, not at all, because otherwise we would have intervened,” he said.

“I must say that the transfer also proved to be a winning choice from this point of view. Because both Newcastle and their fans treated Sandro incredibly, always supporting him. In Italy, he received different treatment. Not from the AC Milan fans, who always protected him.”

How Newcastle fans helped Tonali recover

According to Risso, the reaction he received in England proved vital in helping Tonali overcome the worst period of his career. Despite being suspended, the midfielder continued to be loved by the St James’ Park faithful.

He has since established himself as one of the best in the Premier League and a key player for the Magpies. Indeed, reports from England have linked Arsenal with a major move for the 25-year-old this summer.

That will depend on Tonali, who signed a new contract with Newcastle in January. He decided to extend his deal with the club and admitted that part of the decision was due to Newcastle’s support. Riso supported this and admitted that the mentality is different in England.

“At the end of the day, the mentality is different in England,” he said.

“Whenever Sandro entered the stadium despite the suspension, he received a standing ovation. We are talking about a guy who made a mistake, the fans saw it and he was forgiven. Now, Sandro has completely changed.”

A career reset and a new path forward

Tonali’s journey has certainly been a tumultuous one, but Risso says the midfielder has emerged stronger thanks to Newcastle’s help.

This has certainly been demonstrated on the pitch, as he continues to impress in the Premier League and Champions League.

What happens next is uncertain, but Tonali’s career is undoubtedly firmly back on track. With interest from big clubs, And a possible World Cup in the summer could be the next step.

It’s been a collective group effort for the Atlanta Hawks to get to where they are now, and the proof is in. He has led the league in assists for most of the season, as sharing the ball has been the driving force behind his success. Everyone from guard to center is committed to passing, and that’s a testament to how Quin Snyder wants them to play.

Dyson Daniels in particular has had a huge role moving the ball and his role has changed as the year has gone on. Since being included in the Trae Young trade, he has had the ball in his hands more, and is playing at a high level for his team. During the Hawks’ seven-game winning streak, Daniels had 50 assists and only four turnovers, which is very efficient for a guard.

As for Daniels, he credits his IQ and his teammates.

“A lot of my game is trying to get into the paint and find my teammates, whether it’s cutting, driving back, kick-out threes, things like that,” Daniels said. “They make my job easier by spacing, and I think we look really good when we run in transition. I want to keep our turnovers low and get the assists, so I hope we can keep that going.”

As far as his teammates, they’ve watched his progress in that role throughout the season, and it’s no surprise to them what he’s doing.

“He’s really steady,” Nichelle Alexander-Walker said. “He gets into the paint the way he wants, and he’s ready. He does a really good job of playing with two feet and staying in control, and I think that’s why he’s had success making plays for others, and he’s really starting to slow down, and the game is starting to slow down for him too.”

“Dyson has been huge for us,” Jalen Johnson said. “Not just on this winning streak, but all year long. Dyson brings every aspect of the game to the table, and he’s a guy that’s always ready to get better and always ready to learn. It’s just a testament to the work he’s done, and obviously, we need him to continue to be big for us.”

Not only is Daniel doing so on the offensive side, but he is still being a pest on defense. Over the past seven games, he has had 18 steals, and he guards the team’s best player almost every night.

After his best season last year, it almost feels like Daniel has gotten better, and he’s been a big factor for them through all the changes this season.

LOS ANGELES – Lakers star LeBron James will miss Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the third consecutive game he will miss after collapsing during last week’s game in Denver.

“He probably still needs a couple more days,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “It’s still day-by-day.”

That leaves it uncertain whether James will return on Thursday against the Chicago Bulls or on Saturday against the Denver Nuggets. James completed pre-game warmups ahead of Sunday’s win over the New York Knicks and Wednesday’s matchup against Minnesota. But the Lakers currently report the 41-year-old James is suffering from a right hip injury and left foot arthritis. Redick said James suffered a hip injury after a fall in Denver last Thursday, the same game in which he also suffered a left elbow injury.

“He’s trying to move forward,” Redick said. “He wants to be there. We want the same. Hopefully he’ll be back soon.”

The Lakers (39-25) are fifth in the Western Conference and a game behind Minnesota (40-24) and the Houston Rockets (40-24). The Lakers are 2-0 against Minnesota and lost to the Rockets on Christmas Day. The Lakers will face the Rockets in a two-game trip on March 16 and March 18.

The Lakers are 9-2 in games with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves without James amid various injuries. But the Lakers have rejected any suggestion that the Lakers are better off without James. He missed all of training camp and the first 14 games while nursing right sciatica. Following the Lakers’ loss to Houston on Christmas, Reaves missed 19 consecutive games with a left calf strain. Nonetheless, the Lakers have gone 11-7 with Doncic, James and Reaves.

“We’re starting to get it,” Reddick said. “There’s a clear pecking order when Luka and AR are on the floor with guys who are low-usage players. That’s the nature of it. That’s the nature of every Big 3 that has ever existed. We’re going to get there. I think we’ve seen some positive signs. I think LeBron recognizes the importance of keeping Luka as an engine. He really wants to have an impact on wins. We’re going to get there.”

Mark Medina is an NBA contributor for SportsNut. follow him x, blue sky, Instagram, Facebook And threads.

NBA Insider for Sportsknot. Former NBA writer for NBA.com and USA TODAY, Warriors writer for The Mercury News, Lakers… More about Mark Medina

New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson played an integral role in his team winning the Shooting Stars competition, an event that marked his spectacular return to the NBA All-Star Saturday after an 11-year hiatus, but there was one thing that was dampening his excitement. And he shares a last name.

After Brunson, fellow 2026 All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns and fan favorite Allen Houston led the Knicks to victory, No. 11 took the opportunity to deliver a verbal jab at the celebrity passer, who is also his father and coach. New York assistant and former NBA player Rick Brunson was roasted during the trophy presentation.

When asked if he was enjoying, the younger Brunson decided to lie down next to his old man.

“No, whenever I’m with him, it’s never fun,” he told NBC Sports reporter Ashley Shahahmadi via the BrickCenterX account. “It was a passer, I wouldn’t call it a ‘celebrity’ passer, but he did his job.”

Jalen Brunson on whether he’s still enjoying:

“No.” pic.twitter.com/ZdyPZTXdv9

– BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) 14 February 2026

Team Knicks is your shooting stars champion

He ensured victory by scoring 47 points in the second round.

(via @nba)pic.twitter.com/SdpYtHt6Zj

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 14 February 2026

The Brunson men spend so much time together in the locker room and on the road, so one can assume they regularly engage in some old-fashioned ribbing. Ultimately, everyone did their job effectively enough to lead New York to the win. The Knicks trio scored 47 points in the final round to defeat Team Cameron, which included former Duke stars Jalen Johnson, Kon Knueppel and Corey Maggette.

Jalen Brunson will continue to be an important part of the festivities, as he is set to be an All-Star Game star for the second year in a row. Since his father won’t be on the court during the action, one can only hope that the 29-year-old will have some fun before leaving the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

Last postseason, Damian Lillard suffered an Achilles injury while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. Less than 10 months later, he is again wearing a Portland Trail Blazers uniform and winning his third 3-point contest in the last four years. Welcome to the twilight zone.

The star point guard, who hasn’t played a game this season and likely won’t, overcame long layoffs and fierce competitors like Devin Booker and rookie Kon Knuppel to reclaim his throne during NBA All-Star Weekend. He joined Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only players in NBA history to win the championship three times. Booker was poised to snatch the trophy, but Lillard’s 30-point performance in the final round came up short.

Although it’s been a while since the seven-time All-NBA selection took an official 3-pointer, fans got a reminder that it’s still really dam time.

Damian Lillard surprised people

@JDCowboys2 commented, “He’s seriously one of the greatest players to ever do it, he won the three-point contest with half an Achilles.” @rozaydaghost commented, “This guy has really been through a lot and is almost in tears.” “w“A wonderful chapter is added to his story.”

“From Achilles tear to 3x 3PT champion in just one year?” @loftymimi surprised. “The Dame is created differently. Pure inspiration.” While many fans were surprised by Lillard’s still-smooth shooting stroke, others were equally surprised by the NBA’s decision to allow him to compete in the All-Star Weekend staple despite missing the entire campaign. Someone clearly lost the chance to enter the 3-point contest due to the 35-year-old’s involvement.

@YoungSixtus expressed, “Crazy talent but let’s be real – ranking a guy who played 0 games compared to active shooters this season feels like pure NBA entertainment marketing.” “Congratulations Dame.”

“This is a blatant insult to the rest of the league,” declared @coldog05. “Damian Lillard is dominating a skills competition here while doing virtually nothing else all season. Crazy.”

Whether or not fans believe Lillard should have competed, he deserves ample praise for outshining everyone else at less than full strength. History will remember this event for the skill and tenacity of the nine-time All-Star, and will likely also forget the lack of NBA minutes he logged this season.

Perhaps more than anything, this surprising performance gives Blazers fans a big reason to look forward to next season.