Anthony Edwards delivered a standout performance Sunday, earning the 2026 All-Star Game Most Valuable Player award after guiding Team Stars to a 47-21 victory over the veteran-laden Team Stripes in the championship matchup.
The Minnesota Timberwolves guard, appearing in his third All-Star weekend, paced the younger squad from the opening tip. Team Stars raced ahead 12-1 and never trailed, bolstered by nine points from Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey. Edwards stretched the margin to 26-9 with a three-pointer, and the group later strung together a 15-0 run that left Team Stripes searching for offense. Donovan Mitchell topped the older unit with six points, while Jalen Brunson and LeBron James supplied its only field goals during the first seven minutes.
Early rounds decided on last-second shots
The new mini-tournament format produced three one-possession games before the lopsided final.
Game 1 – Team Stars vs. Team World: San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama opened the showcase with 14 points and three blocks, and New York Knicks forward Karl-Anthony Towns added 10. Edwards countered with 13, but Toronto Raptors wing Scottie Barnes drilled the winning three, completing Team Stars’ comeback against his regular-season coach Darko Rajaković, who helmed Team World.
Game 2 – Team Stars vs. Team Stripes: Boston Celtics swingman Jaylen Brown led the elder Americans in scoring, yet Edwards and Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham matched him with 11 points each. San Antonio’s De’Aaron Fox buried the decisive three to send Team Stars to the final.
Game 3 – Team Stripes vs. Team World: Playing in front of the Los Angeles crowd, Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard erupted for 31 points on 11-of-13 shooting in just 12 minutes. Wembanyama kept Team World close with 19, but Leonard sealed the result by splashing a three over Towns, earning Team Stripes a rematch with the upstart Stars.
The championship tilt, however, belonged to the youth movement, and Edwards walked away with his first All-Star MVP trophy.
Source: Hoops Rumors
