SAN FRANCISCO – Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro claimed his first NBA All-Star 3-Point Contest title Saturday night, outshooting Buddy Hield and Darius Garland in the final round at State Farm All-Star Saturday Night.
Herro scored 24 points in the final round, edging out Golden State Warriors sharpshooter Buddy Hield, who finished with 23 points. Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland rounded out the top three with 19 points.
“My mindset tonight was just to come in and let it fly,” Herro said. “It felt cold in the arena the first time I went. For the second time, I felt more loose going right away.”
The 25-year-old Heat star made both of his “Starry” money balls—each worth three points—and connected on six of seven shots in a critical stretch to seal the win.
Hield, who had the highest score of the night with 31 points in the opening round, had a chance to snatch the victory on the final rack but fell one shot short. After missing his first seven shots in the final round, he needed to hit all five shots on his final rack to win. He made the first three, but his fourth attempt bounced off the rim, securing the trophy for Herro.
Two-time defending champion Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks was eliminated in the first round after scoring just 18 points. He was attempting to become the third player in NBA history, alongside Larry Bird and Craig Hodges, to win the contest three times.
Herro becomes the fourth player in Miami Heat history to win the event, joining Glen Rice (1995), Daequan Cook (2009), and James Jones (2011).
The contest featured a strong lineup of participants, including Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons), Cam Johnson (Brooklyn Nets), and Norman Powell (Los Angeles Clippers). Despite their efforts, none advanced beyond the first round.
Herro’s victory adds to an impressive season in which he earned his first All-Star selection. The Heat guard is averaging 23.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game while shooting 46.5% from the field and 38% from beyond the arc. He ranks fourth in the NBA in made three-pointers this season with 189.
Despite his personal success, the Heat have struggled, sitting at 25-28 and ninth in the Eastern Conference standings at the All-Star break. Miami recently traded franchise star Jimmy Butler to the Warriors in a blockbuster deal that brought back Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and a 2025 first-round pick.
“The record isn’t what we want it to be, but I feel like there’s a breath of fresh air around our locker room, our arena, our city,” Herro said.
Herro’s performance in the 3-Point Contest further cements his reputation as one of the league’s elite shooters. As the Heat push for a playoff spot in the second half of the season, his scoring and leadership will be crucial in keeping Miami competitive.