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Anthony Edwards earned the Kobe Bryant Trophy and became the Kia MVP by leading USA Stripes over USA Stars in the NBA All-Star Game 2026.<\/p>\n
What we know about Monday night:<\/p>\n
We\u2019re still hyped after NBA All-Star Weekend! Led by Kia MVP Anthony Edwards, the USA Stripes defeated USA Stars 47-21 in the final after a tremendous night of action. Keshad Johnson won the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest, while Damian Lillard earned his third victory in the State Farm 3-Point Contest. FEBRUARY 17 \/\/ 12:10 ET<\/p>\n Celebrating greatness<\/p>\n After Sunday night\u2019s game, which included his game-clinching buzzer-beater, De\u2019Aaron Fox told reporters he would get this framed.<\/p>\n That\u2019s what the All-Star Game can do.<\/p>\n FEBRUARY 16 \/\/ 11:15 ET<\/p>\n Winning the All-Star and Finals MVP<\/p>\n Over the last five seasons, Giannis Antetokounmpo (2021), Stephen Curry (2022) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2025) have won the All-Star Game and Finals MVP in the same campaign.<\/p>\n What would it take for Anthony Edwards to join that club?<\/p>\n The Timberwolves have gone to the Western Conference Finals in each of the last two seasons, falling to the Mavericks and Thunder.<\/p>\n The team\u2019s net rating is +4.9 this year \u2014 good for seventh in the NBA, but lower than each of the last two seasons.<\/p>\n They don\u2019t pass Phil Jackson\u2019s test of having a top-10 offense and defense \u2014 the defense is currently 12th, just below that standard.<\/p>\n But they recently added guard Ayo Dosunmu to add some size and scoring punch in the backcourt, while Bones Hyland has largely supplanted the veteran Mike Conley.<\/p>\n Could more scoring help free up Edwards when it matters most?<\/p>\n He\u2019s dropping a career high 29.3 ppg this season \u2014 tied for third-best in the NBA \u2014 while shooting a career-best 49.3% from the field.<\/p>\n His average dipped from 27.6 ppg to 25.3 ppg in last year\u2019s Playoffs, including a 23.0 ppg mark against the Thunder, as he faced stiffer defensive competition.<\/p>\n Ant is 24 years old \u2014 older than Kobe Bryant when he won his first title, the same age as Dwyane Wade, younger than Michael Jordan.<\/p>\n Shai, his contemporary, has already got one; Jaylen Brown, his rival for the top current star from Atlanta, has one too.<\/p>\n With one more step forward, he could put his name amongst the true luminaries of the NBA.<\/p>\n He was already the best of the best Sunday night.<\/p>\n FEBRUARY 16 \/\/ 10:30 ET<\/p>\n Celtics-Lakers on Feb. 22<\/p>\n At 6:30 ET on NBC.<\/p>\n The all-time series stands at Celtics 168, Lakers 135.<\/p>\n It mattered 60 years ago, and it matters today.<\/p>\n Watch Bill Russell take that last drive to the rim for a dunk. Would still play today.<\/p>\n FEBRUARY 16 \/\/ 9:45 ET<\/p>\n The All-Star Game returns to Phoenix<\/p>\n In 2027.<\/a><\/p>\n The last time it was in the Valley of the Sun, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O\u2019Neal were reuniting and becoming co-MVPs.<\/p>\n David Stern was commissioner. Nate Rob and Dwight Howard were dueling in the dunk contest. Muhammad Ali was in the locker room, making a memory for all-time greats.<\/p>\n And LeBron James was soaring.<\/p>\n FEBRUARY 16 \/\/ 9:15 ET<\/p>\n Who will win the Southeast Division?<\/p>\n The Magic (28-25), Heat (29-27) and Hornets (26-29) are separated by just three games, stationed at 7 through 9 in the Eastern Conference standings.<\/p>\n As the season continues, this may become the tightest race in the NBA.<\/p>\n The Magic have just gotten healthy. Paolo Banchero missed 10 games in November and December; Franz Wagner has played in just over half of Orlando\u2019s games this season; Jalen Suggs has been in-and-out of the lineup. How much will it matter? The Magic are 21-22 with Paolo and 16-12 with Franz.<\/p>\n This team is still looking for its best five. Who gets the ball in the clutch? What is their best pick-and-roll combination, and who spaces the floor?<\/p>\n Goga Bitazde has been their most consistent roll man. Interestingly, both he and Franz Wagner are scoring 1.5 points per possession as the roll man this season. Could Franz operating on the short roll open things up for Orlando?<\/p>\n The Heat\u00a0have raced their way to competence all season. They\u2019re the fastest team in the league, amassing 104.9 possessions per game and running a league-high 18.6 miles in each contest.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been about getting downhill \u2014 they also lead the league with 61.3 drives per game.<\/p>\n Watch how they integrate Tyler Herro. He\u2019s only played in 11 games, but he\u2019s taken a team-high 16.5 FGA during them. If he can effectively spell All-Star Norman Powell, he\u2019ll be a boost for Miami. If he messes with their successful offensive flow toward the rim, he could be a detriment.<\/p>\n The Hornets\u00a0are having fun with it, taking 10 of their last 11. LaMelo Ball\u2019s never had this much talent around him. Kon Knueppel\u2019s made 183 3-pointers this season \u2014 second in the NBA \u2014 while Brandon Miller ascends as a shooter and scorer. Grant Williams is back healthy. Moussa Diabat\u00e9 and Ryan Kalkbrenner have given them two cheap big men in the middle.<\/p>\n Coby White, former Mr. Basketball in North Carolina, could be a big addition in Charlotte. With White, they have more firepower than almost any other team in the league.<\/p>\n Can LaMelo shift to a Jason Kidd-style role, setting up his teammates and getting clutch buckets? If so, Charlotte would be my pick to win the division.<\/p>\n FEBRUARY 16 \/\/ 8:45 ET<\/p>\n The sheer smoothness of Damian Lillard<\/p>\n Every stroke is measured and precise.<\/p>\n Like a great putter, he can adjust his form \u2014 put more legs into it, tighten the wrist snap \u2014 as he feels his body fatigue.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a reason he\u2019s able to make the world around him adjust and settle into Dame Time.<\/p>\n FEBRUARY 16 \/\/ 8:15 ET<\/p>\n High-level competition<\/p>\n Enjoy the world\u2019s best in slow motion. Poise and poetry with every shot.<\/p>\n Scottie Barnes\u2019 game-winner in G1. NBA All-Star 2026? EXCITING FINISHES \ud83d\udca5 pic.twitter.com\/N6v9FPqGk1<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n FEBRUARY 16 \/\/ 7:30 ET<\/p>\n The confidence of a legend<\/p>\n \u201cThe hired assassin, with the sharp eye.\u201d<\/p>\n Consider this moment of greatness. After missing back-to-back shots with his third 3-Point Contest on the line, Larry Bird took a quick breath with eight seconds left and got one to fall \u2014 14 points, within striking distance.<\/p>\n He then slowed down again, set his shoulders and launched that trebuchet shot \u2014 15.<\/p>\n With the contest on the line, he lined it up, fired and walked away with his finger in the air as the ball settled through the net \u2014 17 points, defeating the underrated Dale Ellis.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cYou have to concentrate a little bit more and take your time,\u201d Bird told Craig Sager about regaining his rhythm.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re in a pressure moment, consider Bird\u2019s example.<\/p>\n Take a breath, remember your form and the work you put in, and let it fly with confidence.<\/p>\n FEBRUARY 16 \/\/ 7:00 ET<\/p>\n Winners from NBA All-Star 2026 Kawhi Leonard was one of the winners from the NBA All-Star Game, as he reasserted his superstar status on the global stage.<\/p>\n Anthony Edwards:\u00a0Edwards hit big shot after big shot during the evening, responding to the tone set by Victor Wembanyama and challenges from veterans Kevin Durant and LeBron James. Edwards\u2019 swagger and confidence were evident on the big stage. FEBRUARY 16 \/\/ 6:30 ET<\/p>\n Jayson Tatum\u2019s working his way back<\/p>\n Before Ant-man, Jayson Tatum was the last player to become All-Star Game MVP at age 24 or younger in 2023, as he scored 55 points on 22-of-31 shooting.<\/p>\n Tatum is recovering from an Achilles tear, with hopes of potentially returning this season.<\/p>\n Kevin Durant and Jalen Brunson spoke about his recovery during NBA All-Star Media Day, with Durant saying he expects JT to get back to All-Star form soon and Brunson calling him \u201ca very dangerous player.\u201d<\/p>\n Tatum will detail his recovery in a documentary airing between Sunday night NBA games on NBC in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n FEBRUARY 16 \/\/ 5:45 ET<\/p>\n A duel between young stars<\/p>\n Anthony Edwards (32 pts) and Victor Wembanyama (33 pts) went back-and-forth during the All-Star Game.<\/p>\n If you happened to miss it, check out the highlights.<\/p>\n WEMBY SET THE TONE.<\/p>\n ANT MATCHED HIS ENERGY.<\/p>\n These two young superstars helped make NBA All-Star 2026 an instant classic! pic.twitter.com\/Z5RGB5LYzs<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe NBA season resumes with 10 games on Thursday.
\nWe\u2019ve got a look at the Southeast Division, Edwards\u2019 chances of following his All-Star success with a ring, classic All-Star moments, winners from this year\u2019s contest<\/a> and much more below for you. Check it out!<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GettyImages-2261844358.jpg\")
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De\u2019Aaron Fox\u2019s game-winner in G2.
Kawhi Leonard\u2019s game-winning shot in G3.<\/p>\n
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\nVictor Wembanyama:\u00a0Wemby said he wanted to make the All-Star Game competitive, and he certainly did. He scored the first 7 points for the World team and remained a constant presence throughout the night. The French superstar was eager to back up his words \u2014 that can only bode well for the future.
\nKawhi Leonard:\u00a0The Klaw stood up and declared his status as one of the best players in the world by scoring 31 points against World to lift USA Stars into the final game. Leonard crept onto the latest Kia MVP Ladder at No. 10<\/a> \u2014 if he brings this form into the second half of the season, he\u2019ll rise.
\nCade Cunningham:\u00a0The Pistons star was tireless throughout the evening, finishing second in minutes played to Devin Booker and second in assists to Jamal Murray with 7. When the Stripes lagged, Cunningham was often there to pick up the pace.
\nLeBron James:\u00a0The King still had it when the game demanded it. Not bad for 41.
\nVJ Edgecombe:\u00a0The Sixers rookie showed a flair for the dramatic in the Castrol Rising Stars, scoring a series of clutch buckets. He\u2019s been big-time all season \u2014 Philly has a good one on their hands.
\nKeshad Johnson:\u00a0The Heat wing\u2019s only played 257 NBA minutes. But he took home a memory for all-time after winning the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest. Watch him celebrate with his family.<\/p>\n