INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Team Stars captured the NBA’s retooled All-Star Game on Sunday, defeating the fellow U.S. squad Team Stripes 47-21 in the championship round and handing Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards his first All-Star Most Valuable Player award.
The showcase at the LA Clippers’ new Intuit Dome unfolded as a four-team mini-tournament—three 12-minute round-robin contests followed by a final—marking the league’s fourth format change in as many seasons. League officials hoped pitting two American teams against a World roster would raise intensity in an Olympics year, and the afternoon crowd appeared to get the back-and-forth competition it wanted.
Stars seal title after early setback
Edwards knotted the opening contest with a late three-pointer, setting up an overtime victory over Team World. After losing the second game when De’Aaron Fox buried a buzzer-beating three for the Stripes, the Stars regrouped for the final. Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey led the decisive frame with nine points, while the Stripes—playing their third game in succession—managed just one field goal from Kawhi Leonard, who had poured in 31 during the previous matchup.
Wembanyama sets tone for competitive play
Rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama pushed teammates to take the exhibition seriously, scoring 14 points in the opener and 19 in his second appearance despite missing both three-point attempts. The World side rested league scoring leader Luka Dončić and three-time MVP Nikola Jokić in its middle game to preserve the health of the recently banged-up stars.
Late-game drama highlights round-robin
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes drilled the overtime winner as the Stars edged the World 37-36 in Game 1. Leonard then dominated Game 3 before sinking a tiebreaking three with 3.5 seconds remaining in the Stripes’ 48-45 win over the World.
Silver applauds renewed effort
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver thanked players on the podium for the heightened effort, a contrast to recent All-Star editions criticized for lackluster defense. Edwards credited Wembanyama’s energy for setting an early standard: “We chose to compete today, and we came out on top,” he said.
Extras around the event
Prior to tip-off, composer John Tesh performed “Roundball Rock,” the signature theme of NBC’s 1990s NBA broadcasts, celebrating the league’s return to the network. Scheduling was shifted to daytime on the West Coast to accommodate NBC’s primetime Winter Olympics coverage. The sellout crowd included former U.S. President Barack Obama, who received a standing ovation before play began.
The NBA now evaluates whether the latest structure—its fourth in four seasons—has finally struck the right balance between entertainment and genuine competition.
Source: ESPN
