You Won't Believe Which Sixers Star Just Made History by Joining the 3-Point Contest!
For the first time in NBA history, a player from the Philadelphia 76ers may take home the coveted title of 3-Point Contest champion during the All-Star Weekend. Tyrese Maxey has officially been named a participant in the upcoming 2026 State Farm 3-Point Contest, which will take place on February 14 at 5 p.m. ET, airing on NBC and Peacock.
Maxey's inclusion is significant, not just for him but also for the franchise. Historically, no Sixers player has ever captured this title, and Maxey has a real chance to change that. The announcement came via NBA Communications on February 8, 2026, highlighting the players slated to compete against him, including former champion Devin Booker and two-time winner Damian Lillard, who is looking to match the all-time record with a third title.
As of now, Maxey is tied with Anthony Edwards for fifth in the league for made three-pointers per game, trailing only notable sharpshooters like Stephen Curry, Donovan Mitchell, Michael Porter Jr., and Luka Dončić. This season, Maxey boasts an impressive 38.2 percent shooting accuracy from beyond the arc. This marks a significant improvement over last year's 33.7 percent shooting percentage, indicating his growth as a player.
Other players in the contest, such as Donovan Mitchell, Kon Knueppel, and Jamal Murray, are also having standout seasons, ranking among the top ten in three-pointers made per game. While Norman Powell sits just outside the top 20, Bobby Portis is enjoying a remarkable season, shooting an outstanding 45.1 percent from the three-point line.
One of the surprises this year is the inclusion of Damian Lillard, who is currently recovering from a torn Achilles tendon but has begun partaking in basketball activities. His participation raises questions about his readiness to compete at this high level, given that he has missed the entire season thus far.
Maxey's Chances of Winning
Although sportsbooks have not yet released odds for the 3-Point Contest, we can analyze Maxey's potential by looking at his shooting efficiency. It's crucial to note that in the contest, catch-and-shoot efficiency isn’t as vital since players will be shooting without a teammate providing the ball. Instead, pull-up efficiency is the key metric to consider.
Here's a breakdown of how this year's participants have fared as pull-up three-point shooters:
- Devin Booker: 26.3% on 3.6 attempts per game
- Kon Knueppel: 47.1% on 1.7 attempts per game
- Damian Lillard: N/A
- Tyrese Maxey: 36.7% on 4.8 attempts per game
- Donovan Mitchell: 37.1% on 6.1 attempts per game
- Jamal Murray: 43.5% on 4.8 attempts per game
- Bobby Portis: 51.9% on 0.3 attempts per game
- Norman Powell: 37.1% on 3.2 attempts per game
Among these competitors, Portis leads in efficiency but does so on the fewest attempts. Knueppel and Murray also stand out with their pull-up shooting percentages, suggesting they could be formidable opponents for Maxey. However, the 3-Point Contest is a unique challenge compared to conventional game scenarios.
This year, the contest will also feature two "From the Logo" shots, which are positioned six feet behind the three-point line and worth three points each. Maxey has excelled in this department, making the third-most shots from 28-plus feet this season at a solid 36.1 percent success rate, only behind Curry and Trey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans.
While Maxey may not be the favorite heading into the contest, his combination of shooting efficiency and deep range makes him a real contender. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if he can make history for the Sixers on this exciting stage.
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