This is the way the 2026 NBA All-Star Game ends — Not with a whimper, but a bang.
After a less-than-thrilling opening to the weekend's festivities, including a record number of gimmicks and seemingly odd start times, the NBA found its footing with its grand finale, which featured a brand-new format. Whether it was this new format or the new blood in the game, one cannot say for certain, but the NBA had a massive success on its hands with this year’s All-Star Game, and the Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey was in the thick of the event, showing off his ability on a national stage.
As always, the All-Star starters were selected based on a combination of votes by fans, players and media members, the reserves by the league’s coaches, and Commissioner Adam Silver handpicking injury replacements. The NBA split its 2026 All-Stars into three teams: Team Stars, Team Stripes, and Team World. Two teams of players from the United States, and a third group of players with international ties.
Each game was to last the length of a standard NBA quarter, 12 minutes, with overtime if necessary.
Sixers star Tyrese Maxey was added to Team Stars, a group of some of the younger US-based All-Stars, including Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, and first-time All-Stars Jalen Johnson and Jalen Duren. Team Stars faced Team World in Game 1 of the four-game event. Maxey scored four of the team’s 37 points in an overtime thriller, setting the tone for the evening.
For years, the All-Star Game has been criticized for an atmosphere that was anything but competitive. For the first time in recent memory, there was a fire in the players' eyes.
After securing their victory in Game 1, Team Stars faced Team Stripes, the other US-based All-Star team, featuring LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and more. Team Stripes took a strong lead over Team Stars during the game, by as many as eight points, but the Stars came back to steal the lead by one with only 20 seconds to go. In the final seconds of the game, Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell found Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox in the corner for a game-winning triple. Maxey was limited to just two points on a drive showcasing his elite burst.
After Team Stripes defeated Team World in a Game 3 dominated by Kawhi Leonard, the champion matchup was set in a rematch between the two US-based squads.
Team World’s loaded roster, featuring three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama, shocked in both games played despite being the favorites to win the entire event. Team Stars were the underdogs, their youth possibly a reason for being overlooked.
It was in this game, the biggest moment of the event, that Tyrese Maxey truly showcased his talents. Maxey scored seven of the team’s first 12 points and finished with nine points, two rebounds, an assist, and what really helped turn the tide in this matchup, three steals.
The fire of Team Stars’ youth was too bright for Team Stripes, especially as they were playing their third consecutive game. The Stars would secure the NBA All-Star Championship with their 47-21 victory. Anthony Edwards took home the Kobe Bryant award after being named All-Star MVP after scoring 32 points across three games.
Unless otherwise stated, all stats included in this article are via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass, Basketball Reference or Team Rankings. All salary information via Spotrac.
