The NBA All-Star Game underwent a dramatic transformation in 2026, introducing a competitive three-team mini-tournament format that culminated in a championship victory for the Stars squad, led by MVP Anthony Edwards. The event, held at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, home of the Clippers, showcased high-stakes basketball with several thrilling moments.
Edwards Shines in New Format
Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards delivered a statement performance, totaling 32 points across three games to secure his first All-Star MVP award—the Kobe Bryant Trophy. Edwards expressed his ambition to become the world's best player, and his leadership propelled the Stars to a dominant 47-21 win over the Stripes in the championship game on Sunday, February 16, 2026 (Philippine time).
Tournament Highlights and Key Plays
The tournament featured two American teams—the Stars and Stripes—competing against a World team in a round-robin stage. In the opening game, the Stars narrowly defeated the World team 37-36 in overtime, with Edwards forcing extra time via a clutch three-pointer before Scottie Barnes sealed the win with a game-winning triple.
The Stripes, featuring LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard, won the second game 42-40 after De'Aaron Fox hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer against the Stars. Leonard then erupted for 31 points in the third game, leading the Stripes past the World team 48-45 with a go-ahead three-pointer in the final seconds.
Notable Absences and Crowd Reactions
The World team faced challenges, playing shorthanded due to injury concerns that sidelined stars like Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Despite this, Victor Wembanyama led in scoring for both of his games. The star-studded audience included former President Barack Obama, whom Edwards credited for motivating his strong performance.
Kevin Durant praised the new format for enhancing competitiveness, while Edwards highlighted beating the World team as his favorite moment, stating, "They say they're the best players in the world. So beating them is the best feeling in the world."
