![\"Ryan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771206968_980_dims.jpeg\"\/)
Sun, February 15, 2026 at 5:03 PM PST<\/p>\nThe NBA has for years been seeking a fix for its broken All-Star Game.<\/p>\n
Through one iteration of the new USA vs. World format, it appears that it\u2019s found one.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no telling how this will play out in the long run. But it\u2019s hard to argue that Sunday\u2019s All-Star tournament was anything but a success.<\/p>\n
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Two teams of U.S. players and one team of World players played three 12-minute games in a round-robin format to set up a winner take-all final. The two U.S. teams prevailed to meet in the final, and Team Stars beat Team Stripes 47-21 to claim the inaugural international All-Star tournament championship.<\/p>\n
The win in the championship round avenged a 42-40 win by Team Stripes in Game 2 in which De\u2019Aron Fox capped a thriller with a buzzer-beating do-or-die 3.<\/p>\n
Anthony Edwards was named MVP. He tallied 13 points in Team Stars\u2019 Game 1 win over Team World. He posted 11 points in the Game 2 loss to Team Stripes. And he tallied 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in Team Stars\u2019 decisive title game win.<\/p>\n
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In total, Edwards tallied 32 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists while shooting 13 of 22 (59.1%) from the field and 6 of 15 (40%) from 3 in the equivalent of three quarters of basketball. But he wasn\u2019t the only star to shine on Sunday.<\/p>\n
3 thrillers and a Team Stars coronation<\/p>\n
Each game of round-robin play was a verified thriller. One featured Fox\u2019s buzzer-beater. Another required overtime and ended on a walk-off 3 by Scottie Barnes.<\/p>\n
And the third featured Kawhi Leonard going nuclear on his home court with 31 points in 12 minutes to rally Team Stripes to a 48-45 win to eliminate Team World.<\/p>\n
Wemby sets the tone<\/p>\n
Victor Wembanyama, meanwhile, set the competitive tone and was making his own MVP case had his Team World managed to win.<\/p>\n
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In a game that\u2019s long languished without competitive basketball, Wembanyama came out firing on both sides of the court, scoring Team World\u2019s first seven points in Game 1 while contesting every shot that was within his reach.<\/p>\n
He finished with 33 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks while shooting 10 of 13 from the field and 4 of 5 from 3. Team World didn\u2019t make the final, so he did this in 20 minutes across two games.<\/p>\n
Ant: \u2018Wemby set the tone\u2019<\/p>\n
In his MVP victory speech, Edwards cited Wembanyama for sparking the competitive atmosphere in Sunday\u2019s games.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe chose to compete today, and we came out on top,\u201d Edwards said. \u201cI ain\u2019t gonna lie, Wemby set the tone. He came out playing hard and we had to follow that. We had to pick it up as the red team, and we did that.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Youth prevails in the end<\/p>\n
In the end, the younger legs of a Team Stars led by Edwards, Jalen Duren, Devin Booker and Tyrese Maxey prevailed over a Team Stars roster featuring veterans LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard. Team Stars appeared at the end to simply be out of gas for its third and final 12-minute game of the day.<\/p>\n
And this was the nit to pick from from what was an otherwise standout All-Star Game. The final wasn\u2019t competitive as Team Stripes struggled across the finish line. But it provided a showcase for the league\u2019s young stars and may offer the league a blueprint for future roster building: Don\u2019t separate the rosters by age.<\/p>\n
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Otherwise there was a lot to like from Sunday\u2019s All-Star showcase from a format that the NBA would be wise to revisit.<\/p>\n
Live28 updatesSun, February 15, 2026 at 5:03 PM PST<\/p>\n
Ryan Young<\/p>\n
The Minnesota Timberwolves star is the All-Star Game MVP.<\/p>\n
Sun, February 15, 2026 at 4:56 PM PST<\/p>\n
Ryan Young<\/p>\n
Well, that was easy. The Stars rolled to a dominant 47-21 win over the Stripes to win the All-Star Game under the new three-team format.<\/p>\n
Sun, February 15, 2026 at 4:54 PM PST<\/p>\n
Ryan Young<\/p>\n
Barack and Michelle Obama are at the Intuit Dome this afternoon watching the festivities.<\/p>\n
Sun, February 15, 2026 at 4:43 PM PST<\/p>\n
Ryan Young<\/p>\n
A LeBron James dunk and a logo 3-pointer count as the first two made field goals for the Stripes. Jalen Brunson drilled a 3-pointer, too. But the Stars are up 23-9 now, and still in full control.<\/p>\n
Sun, February 15, 2026 at 4:35 PM PST<\/p>\n
Ryan Young<\/p>\n
Well, this one may be over already. The Stars are off to a 12-1 start after LeBron James\u2019 Stripes have missed their first eight field goal attempts.<\/p>\n
Tyrese Maxey just came up with a steal and an easy 3-pointer to force a timeout, too. It looks far too easy for the Stars.<\/p>\n
Sun, February 15, 2026 at 4:31 PM PST<\/p>\n
Ryan Young<\/p>\n
Team Stars and Team Stripes have tipped, and the final game is officially underway. We\u2019ll see who comes out on top.<\/p>\n
![\"Jason](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771206969_673_dims.jpeg\"\/)
Sun, February 15, 2026 at 4:15 PM PST<\/p>\n
Jason Owens<\/p>\n
Kawhi Leonard was unreal in Game 3. The late add to the All-Star roster put on a show with 31 Game 3 points to lead Team Stripes to a 48-45 win over Team World.<\/p>\n
Leonard shot 9 of 11 from the field and 6 of 7 from 3 including the go-ahead 3 for Team Stripes\u2019 final margin of victory. Victor Wembanyama had a look at a game-tying 3 on the other end, but it bounced off the rim and out.<\/p>\n
And remember, these are 12-minute games. Leonard\u2019s put on a show in his home gym and is line for All-Star MVP.<\/p>\n
Team World is eliminated. Team Stars will take on Team Stripes in the final.<\/p>\n
Sun, February 15, 2026 at 3:58 PM PST<\/p>\n
Jason Owens<\/p>\n
No so fast, Victor Wembanyama. Kawhi Leonard is making his own MVP case and now has 19 of Team Stripes\u2019 31 points as the U.S. team has jumped out to a 31-29 advantage with 4:51 remaining in Game 3.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s 7 of 7 from the field, including 5 made 3 pointers. This one\u2019s shaping up to be another thriller.<\/p>\n
Sun, February 15, 2026 at 3:54 PM PST<\/p>\n
Jason Owens<\/p>\n
Team World needs a win here or it\u2019s eliminated. It has a 27-20 edge at a timeout with 6:45 remaining with Victor Wembanyama leading the way (11 points, 4 of 5 from the field).<\/p>\n
Wemby\u2019s got a real shot at MVP today, but he presumably has to lead Team World to victory in order earn it. If Team World wins here, each team will have secured a win in round-robin play, and it will come down to point differential.<\/p>\n
Sun, February 15, 2026 at 3:40 PM PST<\/p>\n
Jason Owens<\/p>\n
Through two quarters, the new All-Star format is a rousing success. Both games have been competitive, and the second was a thriller.<\/p>\n
Nobody\u2019s putting on a defensive clinic, but teams are competing and making an effort on both ends of the court. With games only lasting 12 minutes, players appear willing and motivated to compete.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ll see how it plays out for the remaining two games.<\/p>\n
Sun, February 15, 2026 at 3:34 PM PST<\/p>\n
Jason Owens<\/p>\n
Anthony Edwards put Team Stars up 40-39 late with 5 straight points in the final minute including a 3 with 19.5 seconds remaining.<\/p>\n
But the former Clutch Player of the Year had an answer. De’Aaron Fox got open with a pump fake on the other end, then pulled for for a game-winning 3 that beat the buzzer to secure a 42-40 fictory for Team Stripes.<\/p>\n
Team Stripes and Team Stars both have wins, and Team Stripes will take on Team World in the final round-robin game.<\/p>\n
Sun, February 15, 2026 at 3:26 PM PST<\/p>\n
Jason Owens<\/p>\n
Team Stripes remains in control with a 33-27 lead and 2:37 remaining. Jaylen Brown is leading the way with 11 points.<\/p>\n
Sun, February 15, 2026 at 3:14 PM PST<\/p>\n
Jason Owens<\/p>\n
LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard hit back-to-back 3s early, and Team Stripes has a 19-15 lead over Team Stars at a timeout with 7:08 remaining.<\/p>\n
Sun, February 15, 2026 at 3:06 PM PST<\/p>\n
Jason Owens<\/p>\n
The all-U.S. matchup is underway. Team Stars holds court after a Game 1 win and takes on a Team Stripes lineup featuring LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard.<\/p>\n
Sun, February 15, 2026 at 2:55 PM PST<\/p>\n
Jason Owens<\/p>\n
Team World appeared to be in control with a 26-17 lead. But Team Stars rallied to force overtime and was the first to 5 points in overtime in a format where the first team to 5 points wins.<\/p>\n
Scottie Barnes\u2019 3 secured the 37-35 win for Team Stars. With the win, Team Stars holds court and will take on Team Stripes in the second of three round-robin games. Each game is scheduled for a 12-minute quarter, and the top two teams after round-robin play will face off in a final.<\/p>\n
Sun, February 15, 2026 at 2:53 PM PST<\/p>\n
Jason Owens<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve got overtime in Game 1 after Team World and Team Stars played to a 32-32 tie in regulation. The first to 5 points in the extra session wins.<\/p>\n
Sun, February 15, 2026 at 2:48 PM PST<\/p>\n
Jason Owens<\/p>\n
And here\u2019s Victor Wembanyama\u2019s third block of the game, pinning a soft Cade Cunningham layup against the backboard, leading to Kart-Anthony Towns slam on the other end. He\u2019s here to compete.<\/p>\n
Sun, February 15, 2026 at 2:39 PM PST<\/p>\n
Jason Owens<\/p>\n
Team Stars was up early, but Team World reeled of a 14-2 run to take a 26-17 advantage. Victor Wembanyama leads the way so far with 7 points and 3 rebounds. And he\u2019s injecting some defense into the game with 2 blocks as he tries to swat any shot in his vicinity.<\/p>\n
Sun, February 15, 2026 at 2:36 PM PST<\/p>\n
Jason Owens<\/p>\n
With President Barack Obama sitting courtside, Suns All-Star Devin Booker took advantage of the opportunity and dapped up the first basketball fan during a break in the action.<\/p>\n
Sun, February 15, 2026 at 2:31 PM PST<\/p>\n
Jason Owens<\/p>\n
Former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are in the house.<\/p>\n
They, of course, have good seats. And Barack Obama got in on the action early.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The NBA has for years been seeking a fix for its broken All-Star Game. Through one iteration of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":471134,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[64],"tags":[31513,28138,36057,148151,11653,5556,3013,355,25166,99,218699,218700,93654,7639,218701,114219],"class_list":{"0":"post-471133","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nba","8":"tag-anthony-edwards","9":"tag-deaaron-fox","10":"tag-devin-booker","11":"tag-jalen-duren","12":"tag-kawhi-leonard","13":"tag-kevin-durant","14":"tag-lebron-james","15":"tag-nba","16":"tag-scottie-barnes","17":"tag-sports","18":"tag-team-stars","19":"tag-team-stripes","20":"tag-team-world","21":"tag-tyrese-maxey","22":"tag-usa-stars","23":"tag-wemby"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/471133","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=471133"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/471133\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/471134"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=471133"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=471133"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=471133"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}