In a thrilling conclusion to the NBA All-Star Weekend, Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards guided Team Stars to victory in the championship game of the league's revamped All-Star format, earning him the Kobe Bryant Trophy as MVP. The 75th NBA All-Star Game took place on Sunday night at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, where Team Stars defeated Team Stripes 47-21 in the final matchup. Edwards' standout performance, which included 32 points, nine rebounds, and three assists on 13-of-22 shooting, capped off an exciting tournament that featured a novel round-robin structure designed to inject new energy into the annual showcase.
The NBA introduced this fresh format to revitalize the All-Star Game, dividing participants into three teams: Team USA Stars, Team USA Stripes, and Team World. Each team consisted of a minimum of eight players and competed in four 12-minute games, with the top two advancing to a decisive final. According to reports from the event, the Intuit Dome crowd was electrified by the fast-paced action and dramatic finishes, a stark contrast to previous years' exhibitions that sometimes drew criticism for lackluster defense.
The tournament kicked off with a closely contested battle between Team Stars and Team Stripes, ending in a 42-40 victory for Team Stripes. San Antonio Spurs point guard De’Aaron Fox proved to be the hero in that game, sinking a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to secure the win for his squad. Fox's clutch shot highlighted the competitive spirit the NBA aimed to foster, as players treated the event with a seriousness more akin to regular-season play.
Next up was Team Stars facing Team World, a matchup that went into overtime before Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors delivered the decisive blow. Barnes nailed a game-winning three-pointer in the extra period, propelling Team Stars to victory and advancing them toward the final. Edwards contributed 13 points in that overtime win, showcasing his scoring prowess and helping his team build momentum for the later rounds.
Team Stripes, meanwhile, took on Team World in the third game, with the U.S. squad emerging victorious. The game featured intense moments, including New York Knicks forward Karl-Anthony Towns controlling the ball against Los Angeles Lakers icon LeBron James. Towns, representing Team World, put up a valiant effort, but Team Stripes' depth and experience carried them through, setting the stage for the championship clash.
In the final, Team Stars—featuring Edwards, Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, and Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey—faced off against a star-studded Team Stripes roster that included James, Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant, and Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard. Despite the presence of future Hall of Famers on the opposing side, Team Stars dominated from the outset, pulling away to a decisive 47-21 win. Edwards led the charge with an eight-point performance in the final alone, adding four rebounds and two assists to his tournament totals.
Edwards' overall stat line of 32 points underscored his impact across multiple games; he had also tallied 11 points in the initial Stars-Stripes matchup. His versatility on both ends of the floor earned him the MVP honors, a moment captured in images of him reacting joyfully on the court. The Kobe Bryant Trophy, named in honor of the late Lakers legend, symbolized the high stakes and competitive nature of the new format.
The round-robin setup ensured that no team had an easy path, with each squad playing at least two games before the final. Team World, composed of international stars like Barnes and Towns, provided stiff competition but ultimately fell short of advancing. Reports from the scene noted that the format kept players engaged, as fatigue from prior games appeared to affect Team Stripes in the championship, where their Hall of Fame-caliber lineup couldn't overcome the fresher legs of Team Stars.
Fans in attendance at the Intuit Dome, the new home of the Clippers, were reportedly buzzing with excitement throughout the weekend. The arena, which opened in 2024, hosted its first major NBA event with this All-Star Game, drawing crowds eager to see the innovative structure in action. According to accounts from the event, the positive reception suggested the NBA might have found a winning formula to boost viewership and player participation.
This All-Star Weekend marked the 75th edition of the league's midseason classic, a tradition dating back to 1951. Past formats have evolved, from the traditional East-West conference matchup to captain-selected teams in recent years, but the 2026 iteration introduced international elements with Team World. The inclusion of global talent like Towns, originally from the Dominican Republic, and Barnes from Canada, highlighted the NBA's growing international footprint.
Edwards, at 24 years old, emerged as a breakout star of the weekend, building on his rising profile with the Timberwolves. His MVP award comes at a time when he's averaging over 25 points per game in the 2025-26 season, positioning Minnesota as a contender in the Western Conference. Teammates like Booker, who contributed key plays in the final, praised the format's intensity in post-game discussions, though specific quotes from players were not immediately available.
Team Stripes' LeBron James, now in his 22nd NBA season, brought veteran leadership to the squad but couldn't rally them in the decisive game. James, who has won four All-Star MVPs in his career, appeared fatigued after earlier exertions, a factor that observers noted may have played a role. Durant and Leonard, both sidelined at times during the regular season due to injuries, used the event to shake off rust, but it was Team Stars' youth and energy that prevailed.
The NBA's decision to revamp the All-Star Game stemmed from years of feedback criticizing the event for poor defense and lack of competitiveness. Commissioner Adam Silver has emphasized the need for engaging formats, and this year's experiment with mini-games and a tournament style addressed those concerns. Early indicators, including social media reactions and attendance figures, point to a successful debut, though league officials have not yet confirmed if the structure will return in 2027.
Looking ahead, the All-Star Weekend also featured other events like the Skills Challenge and Three-Point Contest, but the game itself stole the show. As the NBA season resumes, Edwards and his peers will carry the momentum back to their teams, with the Timberwolves facing a crucial stretch in the playoffs race. The positive fan response in Los Angeles could influence future iterations, potentially solidifying this format as a staple of the league's calendar.
In summary, Anthony Edwards' leadership and the innovative round-robin format made the 75th NBA All-Star Game a memorable affair, blending competition with spectacle at the Intuit Dome. While the long-term fate of the structure remains to be seen, it undoubtedly reinvigorated the event for players and fans alike.