Damion Lee Left Out of NBA Three-Point Contest

The Phoenix Suns have seen some up and down performances this season thanks to a variety of factors, injuries being one of the main claims.

Prior to being dealt to the Brooklyn Nets, Mikal Bridges was the lone starter to not miss any time due to injury thus far. Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Cam Johnson and Deandre Ayton all fell victim to the injury bug through various times and stretches.

As a result, the Suns wouldn't have any representation in the upcoming NBA All-Star Game, though there was some hope that Damion Lee would be able to compete in the league's three-point contest.

Lee once led the league in three-point percentage which hovered around 50%. Heading into tonight's game against Sacramento, his 44.5% conversation rate is good enough for top five in the NBA.

However, his name was not in the list of finalists from The Athletic's Shams Charania, who listed the following:

Jayson Tatum, Kevin Huerter, Tyler Herro, Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons and Lauri Markkanen.

Sources: NBA 3-Point Contest participants at All-Star Weekend: Boston's Jayson Tatum, Sacramento's Kevin Huerter, Miami's Tyler Herro, Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield, Portland's Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons and Utah's Lauri Markkanen.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 14, 2023

Lee - statistically speaking - is a better three-point shooter than everybody on that list.

When asked about potentially joining in the festivities, Lee offered this earlier in February:

“When you look at people around the league, they say really good shooters shoot 40%, so that’s a bar to reach there … Eight of the best shooters in the best league in the world. That kind of solidifies you as being known as a marksman across the league," said Lee.

“I think if that does happen, an amazing opportunity. But if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t take away from the hard work that’s been put in. But speaking life into it, if it does happen, when it does happen, whenever it is at some point in my career, it’s definitely a dream and a goal but it’s not a goal to just go and be there.”

The NBA will officially announce the other participants for Saturday night's events later tonight.