The NBA\u2019s rookies, sophomores and G League prospects opened the All-Star weekend at the Los Angeles Clippers\u2019 Intuit Dome with this four-team tournament of three games played to a set point total.<\/p>\n
Dylan Harper called game in the first semifinal with a succession of moves that could have been learned on the driveway at home, bullying Ron Jr. into the paint before hitting a step-back jumper. Dylan stuck out his tongue in gleeful celebration of only his second basket in the semifinal, and their famous father laughed heartily at courtside.<\/p>\n
![\"Team](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GHRGDBBSCVCIXFHQK7DKZ6LLAE.jpg\")
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Team Vince guard VJ Edgecombe (77) of the Philadelphia 76ers, right, passes as Team Melo guard Jeremiah Fears (0) of the New Orleans Pelicans defends during a final in NBA basketball’s Rising Stars event Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif.<\/p>\n
Mark J. Terrill \/ AP<\/p>\n
Edgecombe scored nearly half of his team\u2019s 41 points \u2014 including the last 10 in a row \u2014 while winning the second semifinal to set up a showdown between the teams led by NBA greats Vince Carter and Carmelo Anthony.<\/p>\n
The Rising Stars game wasn\u2019t a full showcase of the NBA\u2019s top young talent because No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg dropped out of the game due to injury<\/a>, as did Washington\u2019s Alex Sarr and Memphis\u2019 Cedric Coward.<\/p>\n Edgecombe hit three 3-pointers during his scoring barrage in the first semifinal to win his duel with Charlotte\u2019s Kon Knueppel, who scored just four points. The two rookies are the only serious contenders with Flagg for the Rookie of the Year award.<\/p>\n The event got off to a rousing start when Clippers prospect Yanic Konan Niederh\u00e4user dunked a lob from Ron Harper Jr. for the first basket of the night. The Swiss big man who was drafted last summer by the All-Star weekend hosts, got raucous cheers from the fans in The Wall, an extra-steep supporters\u2019 section installed at Intuit Dome by Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.<\/p>\n Niederh\u00e4user led his losing team with 11 points in the first semifinal.<\/p>\n Dallas Mavericks veteran Klay Thompson signs lifetime ANTA deal<\/a>Chris Paul retires as All-Star weekend begins, ending a 21-season NBA run<\/a><\/p>\n