Edwards, Wembanyama Set Competitive Tone in Revamped NBA All-Star Game

The NBA All-Star Game found new life in 2026, and two rising superstars deserve credit for setting the competitive tone that transformed basketball's midseason showcase. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama turned what has historically been an exhibition into must-watch basketball at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

Edwards earned MVP honors with a dominant 32-point performance on 13-for-22 shooting, adding nine rebounds and three assists to lead Team Stars to victory in the new tournament format. But it was Wembanyama who Edwards credited with changing the entire atmosphere of the weekend.

"Wembanyama set the tone, and it was definitely competitive with all three teams," Edwards said. "He set the tone, man. And it woke me up, for sure."

The NBA completely reimagined its All-Star format this year, abandoning the traditional Eastern Conference versus Western Conference setup. Instead, players were divided into three teams: Team Stars (young American talent like Edwards), Team Stripes (veteran American players), and Team World (international stars led by Wembanyama). The event featured a round-robin tournament with four 12-minute games rather than the standard four quarters.

Wembanyama's competitive fire was evident from the opening tip. The French sensation led Team World with 14 points, six rebounds, and three blocks in the first game against Team Stars, treating every possession with playoff intensity. When teammate Scottie Barnes hit a game-winning three-pointer in overtime to defeat Team World 37-35, Wembanyama stormed back to the bench in visible frustration – the same reaction he'd show during a regular season loss with the Spurs.

"It's a game we love – it's a game I personally cherish – so being competitive is the least I can do," Wembanyama explained, embodying the spirit the league hoped to capture with its format change.

The new structure delivered exactly what the NBA wanted: genuine competition. The second game saw Team Stripes edge Team Stars 42-40 on a last-second three-pointer by Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox. The third game belonged to LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, who lit up his home arena with 31 points on scorching 11-for-13 shooting, including 6-of-7 from three-point range, leading Team Stripes to a 48-45 victory over Team World.

Leonard's performance delighted the Clippers faithful in attendance and his fellow players alike. The typically reserved superstar was added to the game as an injury replacement, making his homecoming all the more special.

"It was great; happy that Adam [Silver] let me in," Leonard said, referring to the NBA commissioner. "That's what the home crowd wanted to see. I'm glad I was able to do something in that game."

The tournament format's early success vindicated the league's decision to shake up its showcase event. For years, critics had complained about the lack of defense and competitive spirit in the traditional All-Star Game. By creating multiple games with shorter duration and tournament stakes, the NBA rekindled the competitive fire that makes basketball compelling.

Edwards and Wembanyama's leadership proved that when the game's brightest young stars treat the event seriously, others follow suit. Their approach transformed what could have been another forgettable exhibition into a genuine celebration of basketball excellence.