The 2026 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday delivered a fresh burst of excitement, thanks to a revamped format and the electric presence of young star Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Edwards’ standout performance earned him MVP honors after he scored 32 points on 13-for-22 shooting, grabbed nine rebounds, and added three assists, edging out Kawhi Leonard, who made a strong case for the award in his home arena.
This year, the traditional East vs. West format was replaced by a three-team setup: Team Stars, featuring young American standouts like Edwards; Team Stripes, made up of veteran American talent; and a World team, populated by international players. The games themselves were part of a round-robin tournament with four 12-minute mini-games instead of the usual four quarters, creating nonstop action and high-stakes moments.
The opening game at 2 p.m. PT, scheduled as a lead-in to NBC’s Winter Olympics coverage, set the tone for the day. San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama led the World team with 14 points, six rebounds, and three blocks, while Edwards kept pace with 13 points, including a tying three-pointer that forced overtime. In the extra session, the first team to score five points would win, and it was Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes who sank the decisive three-pointer to lift Team Stars to a 37-35 victory. Wembanyama’s stunned reaction on the bench mirrored the frustration he might show after a regular-season defensive lapse, highlighting the competitive intensity he brought to the game.
The second matchup saw Team Stripes narrowly defeat Team Stars 42-40 on a last-second three by Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox. In the third game, Kawhi Leonard thrilled Clippers fans at the Intuit Dome, scoring 31 points on 11-for-13 shooting, including six of seven from three-point range, to lead Team Stripes to a 48-45 win over Team World. Wembanyama added 19 points for the World team, showing his global talent was no mere showpiece.
The final game became a showcase for Team Stars’ youth and depth, as they blew out Team Stripes 47-21. Edwards contributed eight points on 3-for-5 shooting, while Leonard managed just a single point, going 0-for-4 from the field.
Edwards, a 24-year-old former No. 1 pick known as much for his personality as his on-court skills, said he most enjoyed starting the day with a win over the World team. He received 10 of 14 votes for MVP from media and fan panels, a fitting recognition of a performance that combined skill, competitiveness, and star power.
The combination of a new format, thrilling finishes, and the charge of Wembanyama made the 2026 NBA All-Star Sunday a memorable highlight of the league’s February festivities, with Anthony Edwards standing firmly at the center of the celebration.
