Much of the talk heading into the NBA All-Star Game 2026 focused on the lack of competitive fire and players just going through the motions. The results, critics claimed, were ho-hum games that bordered on the unwatchable.
But on Monday, things were different—at least to a certain degree. With the new Team World vs. Team USA format, the NBA All-Star Game 2026—four 12-minute games in this case, to be precise—delivered some surprisingly competitive action, with the first three games all going down to the final possession.
Team Stars Stun Team World
Team Stars, composed of the NBA’s young superstars like Anthony Edwards and Cade Cunningham, pulled out the NBA All-Star Game’s first stunner, rallying in the final minutes to stun Team World, 37-35, in overtime.
Team World, composed of the NBA’s premier international talent like Victor Wembanyama and Karl-Anthony Towns, was still ahead, 32-29, with under a minute left when Edwards tied things up with a triple. Team Stars followed with a defensive stop, setting the stage for a race-to-5 overtime.
After exchanging baskets—a two for Team Stars and a three for Team World—Scottie Barnes hit a triple to win the game for Team Stars.
Team Stripes Survive Team Stars Thanks to Kawhi Leonard
The young stars’ next challenge was Team Stripes, led by NBA legends LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Team Stars, though, didn’t back down one bit, taking the action to their more illustrious counterparts in another thrilling back-and-forth.
With his team down 39-35 with under two minutes remaining, Edwards again took over, scoring five quick points, including a pull-up three in transition for the lead, 40-39. But LeBron and company walked the ball up the court and moved it around, with Donovan Mitchell ultimately spotting an open De’Aaron Fox for the game-winning trey.
Team Stripes Overcomes Team World
The competitive action continued when Team World, fighting for survival and needing to win by at least three points, took on Team Stripes. It was another dynamic back-and-forth, with Team World seemingly poised to take control and backdoor its way into the final.
But Kawhi Leonard got in the zone, scoring 31 points in 12 minutes and hitting the go-ahead triple that gave Team Stripes the 48-45 lead. Then, in the ensuing possession, Wembanyama’s shot to send the game to OT was off.
Team Stars Get Revenge on Team Stripes for NBA All-Star Game Title
With bragging rights at stake, the young superstars of Team Stars showed out in the final, racing out to a quick 12-1 lead and running away with the 47-21 win and the title. Edwards and company looked like the fresher team as they consistently got out on the break and scored in transition. Team Stripes, in contrast, looked tired as they kept missing to start the championship game.
The rout was a bit of an anticlimactic ending to a day of tight, well-contested games. Then again, the three games before that were exactly the kind of showcase fans wanted in an NBA All-Star Game.
After leading Team Stars to the title, Edwards was fittingly named NBA All-Star Game MVP after scoring 32 points across three games for his team. He received 10 of the 14 votes, with the other 4 going to Leonard.
