Published on Feb. 17, 2026
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The 2026 NBA All-Star Game featured a new format pitting Team USA against Team World, with Victor Wembanyama leading the international squad. Wembanyama’s intensity from the opening tip set the tone, as players like Anthony Edwards, Scottie Barnes, and Jaylen Brown matched his competitive spirit. The renewed focus and effort from the All-Stars resulted in an entertaining showcase that drew the league’s largest All-Star audience in 15 years.
Why it matters
The NBA All-Star Game had become an increasingly lackluster event in recent years, with players often treating it as an exhibition rather than a competitive contest. Wembanyama’s arrival and the new format sparked a renewed sense of purpose and passion, reigniting fan interest in the league’s marquee midseason event.
The details
In the opening game between Team World and Team Stars, Wembanyama set the tone by winning the opening tip and immediately scoring on a powerful dunk. From there, players like Edwards, Barnes, and Brown matched Wembanyama’s intensity, leading to a highly competitive overtime finish that saw Team World narrowly lose. The renewed effort carried over to the subsequent games, with the Stripes and Stars squads also playing hard-nosed basketball down to the wire.
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game took place on February 16, 2026.Wembanyama’s opening dunk occurred just 6 seconds into the first game, with 11:54 remaining on the clock.
The players
Victor Wembanyama
A 7’4″ French basketball player who is considered one of the top prospects in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Anthony Edwards
An American professional basketball player who plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Scottie Barnes
A Canadian professional basketball player who plays for the Toronto Raptors.
Jaylen Brown
An American professional basketball player who plays for the Boston Celtics.
Kawhi Leonard
An American professional basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Clippers.
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What they’re saying
“I’m offended by Beverly Hills by the statement they put out, like we applied for something and didn’t get it, and we did it anyway [and] we were insubordinate. I know how to follow the rules. I’m smart enough to follow the guidelines. It just seemed like somebody didn’t want whatever we had going on to go on because out of everybody that was doing something, it seemed like I was the only one that gets shut down.”
— Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics player (ESPN)
What’s next
The NBA will look to build on the renewed energy and interest generated by the 2026 All-Star Game, potentially exploring ways to further enhance the format and showcase the league’s top talent.
The takeaway
Victor Wembanyama’s competitive fire ignited a new era of passion and intensity in the NBA All-Star Game, reigniting fan interest in the league’s marquee midseason event and providing a blueprint for future iterations to maintain the high level of play and entertainment value.