INGLEWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 15: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the USA Stars Team dribbles the ball during the game against World Team during the 75th NBA All-Star Game as part of the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
NBA All-Star Weekend festivities wrapped up with the round robin tournament. Sixers All-Star Tyrese Maxey competed for Team USA Stars.
Each matchup was a 12-minute game. In the first matchup Team USA Stars took on Team World in what was a barn burner.
Team USA Stars was carried by Anthony Edwards, who poured in 13 points, including a clutch three that sent the game to overtime.
Team World was led by Victor Wembanyama, who went for 14 points on 4-for-5 shooting
Raptors star Scottie Barnes hit the game-winning three pointers in the first to five overtime period to lift the Team USA Stars to a 37-36 victory.
In the third game Team World took on Team Stripes.
Kawhi Leonard stole the show going for a loud 31 points in the 12-minute period. Kawhi put on an absolute clinic in ball-handling and shot-making, knocking down 11-for-13 shots from the field including 6-for-7 from beyond the arc. The biggest of them all being an iso three over Karl-Anthony Towns on the Stripes’ final possession which would wind up being the difference.
The World team was once again led by Wembanyama, who went for 19 points on 6-for-8 shooting. Wembanyama’s last second three-pointer hit off iron to give the Stripes the victory.
The Stripes win set up the championship final between the Stars and Stripes.
The Championship matchup had the younger Team USA Stars jump out to an early commanding lead at 26-9 halfway through the period. Led by none other than Tyrese Maxey, they stretched the lead to 33-11
The Stripes could not get anything to fall going as they shot an abysmal 8-for-31 from the floor and 4-for-19 from three.
The Stars had a balanced attack led Maxey who finished the game with nine points.
Team USA Stars win the All-Star round robin 47-21.
After missing the last four Lakers games with a hamstring injury, the guard suited up for Team World at Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
He only played in one of his team’s two games, and he logged just two points and two assists in five minutes and five seconds of floor time.
After missing the Lakers’ last four games, Luka Doncic returned to action at the NBA All-Star Game. NBAE via Getty Images
But, he told reporters after his squad bowed out of the tournament that his ailing leg held up well.
“It was good,” he said of the hamstring. “Obviously, I wanted to go out there; the fans voted me to be in this game so I wanted to be here, be a part of it a little bit. But it felt good.”
Doncic started Team World’s opening game against USA Stars alongside Victor Wembanyama, Deni Avdija, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Each time he touched the ball, he was heckled by the pro-Clippers crowd. At one point, fans aimed “flopper” chants his way.
Luka Doncic only played in one of Team World’s two games at Intuit Dome on Sunday. NBAE via Getty Images
Doncic was unbothered, though, and looked like his usual self, dribbling with ease while smoothly navigating through defenses.
He never quite appeared to move at 100% pace, but there nonetheless were no apparent signs he was hurting.
After subbing out of Game 1, Doncic threw on a sweatsuit and never returned to game action. He warmed up prior to Team World’s second matchup of the day against USA Stripes and was seen attempting to make a half-court shot.
Luka Doncic scored two points and tallied two assists in his lone game Sunday. NBAE via Getty Images
When asked if his day on the court meant he’d be back for Los Angeles when it takes on the Clippers in its first post-All-Star break game on Friday, he didn’t quite commit to that just yet.
“We’ll see,” he said.
Doncic sustained his hamstring injury on Feb. 5, when the Lakers took on the 76ers at Crypto.com Arena.
He left the game in the first half and did not return. He went on to miss the Lakers’ ensuing contests against the Warriors, Thunder, Spurs and Mavericks.
With Doncic sidelined, the Lakers went 2-2.
The 26-year-old — whom LA acquired in a blockbuster trade last season — said earlier in the weekend he was “almost” ready for the Lakers’ game against his ex-Dallas team last Thursday, “but it wasn’t possible.”
In 42 games for the Lakers this season, Doncic has averaged 32.8 points, 8.6 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game.
Sunday’s All-Star Game marked Doncic’s first as a Laker, and he went on to call the experience “great.”
“Obviously, it was very busy,” he said. “But I was glad to do all this stuff.”
INGLEWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 15: Victor Wembanyama #1 of World Team dunks the ball during the game against the USA Stars Team during the 75th NBA All-Star Game as part of the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA All-Star Game has not been great for a while. Over the last few years, the players haven’t taken it seriously, leading the league to implement bizarro changes like the Elam Ending or a round-robin tournament including the winner of the Rising Stars challenge. This year, it was a round-robin tournament with an emphasis on players from the U.S. vs. the World. The gimmick worked, leading to one of the best games in recent memory.
No gimmick alone can change the culture surrounding the game. It starts with the players, and on Sunday night, it started with one player who elevated the competition for everyone: Victor Wembanyama.
“Wemby set the tone,” said the game’s MVP, Anthony Edwards. “He came out playing hard.”
Wembanyama has talked the talk about trying hard in the All-Star Game. He backed it up with a Team World-leading performance in the opening game against “Team Stars,” which featured the younger generation of U.S. all-stars.
The San Antonio Spurs big man came out hot. He won the tip and immediately went to the other end for a dunk to kick off the game. It was the first highlight of a stellar 14-point, 6-rebound, and 3-block performance.
He followed that play up with a three, and then picked up two blocks on the other end. He was locked in playing defense, and Team World was running its offensive game through Wembanyama. A tough stretch of lazy defense and bad turnovers (ASG staples) allowed Team Stars to climb back into the game and make things competitive. In the winding seconds of the first game, Edwards hit a three-pointer to tie the game and send it to overtime.
The first team to score 5 points wins OT. Wembanyama hit a pick-and-pop three-pointer to put Team World up 3-2. Team Stars needed a three-pointer to win the game, and got one when Team World collapsed their defense, lacking the awareness to understand that a 2-pointer would keep them in the game. Scottie Barnes took advantage of the defensive mistake, knocking down a three-pointer to win the game. Wembanyama was not happy. Team Stars won 37-35.
Wembanyama wasn’t the only Spur in the All-Star Game. De’Aaron Fox replaced the injured Giannis Antetokounmpo for his second All-Star appearance. He played for Team Stripes, coached by San Antonio’s head coach, Mitch Johnson. The Stripes were made up of older players like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Kawhi Leonard.
For a while, it looked like the Stripes would run away with the game, coming out determined and playing team basketball, which is rare for the ASG. Fox didn’t check in until the four-minute mark in the 12-minute game, but closed the game out with the other starters. Johnson must have wanted his clutch gene, and the decision paid off, as Fox knocked down the game-winning three-pointer to down the Stars 42-40.
Wemby and Team World took the court to face Fox and the Stripes in the third game. The World needed to win by 3 points to move on to the championship game. Wembanyama did everything he could to get them there, but he was outmatched by a familiar face, former-Spurs Kawhi Leonard.
Wembanyama had 19 points in the game, including two clutch three-pointers down the stretch. The World team simply couldn’t overcome Leonard, who had 31 points in the game, including 11-straight points to give the Stripes the lead mid-way through the game. The game was tied with 25 seconds to go, and Leonard abused a mismatch on the switch that left Karl-Anthony Towns guarding him. He nailed the three, leaving the World team 3 seconds to tie the game. Wembanyama got an open look on a clever inbounds play, but couldn’t convert the three-pointer, eliminating Team World from the tournament with a 48-45 loss to the Stripes. Wembanyama finished the entire ASG with 33 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
The Spurs still had a chance to come away winners, with Fox and Johnson facing off against Team Stars in the championship game. Team Stripes came out of the game slowly, looking a bit sluggish and tired against the more youthful Stars. The Stars streamrolled the older Stripes to win the ASG championship 47-21. Fox finished the event with 7 points and 3 assists.
Edwards took home the MVP trophy, scoring 32 points on the evening.
The Spurs may not have left All-Star Weekend with any hardware, but they had an entertaining showing, and more importantly, got out of Los Angeles totally healthy for the stretch run. Wembanyama may not have won any games in the All-Star tournament, but his impact on the event was noticeable to fans and players alike.
“It’s a game I personally cherish,” Wembanyama said. “So being competitive is the least I can do.”
Wembanyama and the Spurs put on a show this weekend and will likely be a staple of the events for years to come. Perhaps the event will get back to its former glory thanks to the inspiring effort by San Antonio’s franchise cornerstone.
For years, the NBA All-Star Game had become basketball’s most glamorous scrimmage. A layup line dressed in designer sneakers. Defense was always an optional accessory.
The league scrapped the tired East vs. West, and captains pick teams models, and introduced a USA vs. World format — a three-team, four-game round-robin tournament. Twelve-minute sprints. No coasting. No hiding. The top two teams advanced to a championship game, and suddenly, pride wasn’t just a marketing slogan. It was bragging rights.
Scottie Barnes celebrates with Cade Cunningham after a win over World during the NBA All-Star basketball game. AP
The idea was borrowed from the NHL’s wildly competitive 2025 All-Star showcase, where Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States skated with national urgency. The NBA All-Star Game needed a jolt. It got it.
From the opening tip, the temperature was different. Hands were active in passing lanes. Double-teams were executed. Players blocked shots and argued calls.
The first game went into overtime, where Raptors forward Scottie Barnes drilled a 3-pointer to stun Team World in the first competitive contest.
SCOTTIE BARNES WINS IT FOR USA STARS.
USA STARS VS. USA STRIPES COMING UP NEXT ON NBC & PEACOCK
The second game featured the Young Stars vs. The NBA OGs. It was one of the more exciting and prideful games.
A back-and-forth battle saw both teams breaking a sweat and giving it their all in the final two minutes.
Anthony Edwards, one of the next faces of the league, scored five straight points to give the Young Stars the lead, but the current face of the NBA, LeBron James, walked the ball up the court and found Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell in the paint, but instead of shooting, he passed out to Spurs point guard De’Aaron Fox — who drilled a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
WILD ENDING OF USA STARS/STRIPES!
ANT LAY TO MAKE IT A 2-POINT GAME. ANT STEAL. ANT 3 FOR THE LEAD. FOX GAME-WINNER.
On his home floor, Kawhi Leonard turned the All-Star stage into a personal workshop. He dissected Team World with surgical calm, scoring 31 of his team’s 48 points in a 12-minute sprint that felt like a playoff moment.
Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant high-fiving during the NBA All-Star Game. AP
With three seconds left, Leonard rose from the right wing and buried a fading 3 over an outstretched Karl-Anthony Towns. The kind of shot that would have meant nothing in past All-Star exhibitions meant everything here.
Across from him, Victor Wembanyama poured in 19 points in the loss, stretching arms and expectations in equal measure. The future battled the present. The building leaned forward.
Team World was hampered by injuries. Luka Dončić logged just five minutes in the opener before a hamstring tightened and prudence prevailed.
“I think it was good. The game this year was a little better,” Dončić said afterward. “We didn’t make it. We had some injuries on our team again, but we’ll be better next year.”
Luka Doncic with the ball against Anthony Edwards. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The championship game provided the cleanest proof that this format works. It was a rematch of the second game, when the OGs stunned the Young Stars at the buzzer. But this time the young legs had nearly 45 minutes of rest, and in a tournament built on quick turnarounds, that rest was currency.
They spent it immediately.
The Young Stars blitzed to a 12-1 lead, attacking the rim like rent was due. The OGs, proud but winded, tried to summon muscle memory. They simply couldn’t close the gap.
The final game lacked the drama of the first three, as well as Leonard’s heroics, but it delivered something arguably more important: consequence.
Led by Tyrese Maxey and Edwards, the Young Stars claimed the first USA vs. World Round Robin title for Team USA Stars. Maxey played with the giddy edge of someone who understands that bragging rights carry weight in this league.
“I didn’t want to lose to the OGs again, know what I mean?” Maxey said, grinning. “That gives them trash-talking. If I see these guys in two weeks when we play against them, I now have bragging rights. Those are fun to have.”
Anthony Edwards holds the Kobe Bryant Trophy over his head after being named MVP of the NBA All-Star game. AP
There were moments Sunday when bodies hit the floor and no one flinched. When a missed defensive rotation drew visible frustration. When Team World huddled like it was protecting something bigger than Instagram highlights.
The USA vs. World concept taps into the NBA’s most powerful truth: The league is global, and that globalism carries pride. International stars have reshaped MVP ballots for half a decade. American players have heard the noise. You put those identities in a tournament structure, add quick games that demand urgency, and you get something closer to real basketball.
Not perfect. But real.
“Wemby set the tone. He said ‘it’s on!’ and so we had to bring it,” said Edwards, the Timberwolves guard who was named the All-Star Game Tournament MVP. “We had to come out hard and give the red team the victory, and we did that. This was a lot of fun.”
Was every possession played at Finals intensity? Of course not. Let’s not romanticize it. This is still an exhibition wedged into a packed season. But compared with the defensive apathy of recent years, this felt like a correction.
It also helps that the stage matched the stakes. The Intuit Dome didn’t just host the event; it elevated it. On NBC’s broadcast, the arena glowed like the league’s future — sleek, ambitious, unapologetically expensive. A global game in a global city, framed by a format that acknowledges the sport’s shifting balance of power.
“This is the greatest building for basketball in the world. It’s been fantastic. Right now, we’re experiencing real competitive basketball,” Clippers owner Steve Ballmer said, beaming courtside as the arena lights danced off the Dome’s chrome bones.
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The social media reaction was swift and overwhelmingly positive. Fans praised the pace, the stakes, the pride. They noticed the difference because it was impossible not to.
The NBA didn’t just tweak the All-Star Game. It challenged its stars to care — at least a little more. Sunday proved that when you give elite competitors something tangible to play for, even if it’s just national pride and locker-room leverage, they respond.
For the first time in a long time, the All-Star Game wasn’t a punchline.
Texas Tech's bus tires were slashed after the Red Raiders defeated No. 1 Arizona on Saturday, Feb. 14, a Texas Tech spokesperson confirmed to the USA TODAY Network on Feb. 15.
"The team bus had one tired punctured overnight but it was replaced in the morning," the statement read. "There were no disruptions to the team’s travel schedule."
A video circulated social media Feb. 15 of a sharp object puncturing a Texas Tech bus tire after its 78-75 upset win over No. 1 Arizona, which suffered only its second loss of the season. One video of the tires being slashed on X has over 670,000 views.
The Red Raiders' star duo of forward JT Toppin (31 points) and guard Christian Anderson (19 points) scored 50 combined of the team's 78 points. Toppin also added 13 rebounds, while Anderson chipped in eight assists and six boards.
Arizona lost star true freshman Koa Peat to injury in the game. The 6-8 forward scored two points and didn't play after suffering the lower-body injury the first half.
The Wildcats entered the week as one of two remaining undefeated teams in Division I, along with No. 24 Miami (Ohio). However, they fell to Kansas on the road on Feb. 9 before dropping another to Texas Tech, and will lose their No. 1 ranking in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll update on Feb. 16.
Jalen Brunson’s USA Stripes side lost in the final, while Karl-Anthony Towns’ Team World lost both the games they played.
Brunson was passive in the normally shot-happy games, while Towns’ biggest impact was negative.
When the first game, between Team World and the USA Stars, went to overtime — which was decided by the first to a target score of five points — he airballed on Team World’s first possession.
Jalen Brunson drives to the basket during the NBA All-Star Game Feb. 15. NBAE via Getty Images
Then, when the World took a 3-2 lead, he inexplicably helped defensively on a pass to Jalen Duren, leaving his man — Scottie Barnes — wide open behind the arc.
Barnes drilled the 3-pointer, sealing the win for the Stars.
“I would’ve expected us to be smarter right here,” Victor Wembanyama said. “So that was disappointing.”
Wembanyama, who had set an early tone for the competitive level with his effort, put his hands on his head in frustration at the mistake.
A 2-pointer wouldn’t have been a terrible result — a 3-pointer meant a loss for Team World.
And Towns left his man to help on a 2-pointer, leaving his man open for a trey.
Karl-Anthony Towns controls the ball during the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 15. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“Coming down to defense, especially down the stretch,” Norman Powell said afterward about the sequence. “When we’re up three, not giving up a 3-pointer to tie the game. It’s gonna be the attention to detail, it’s on defense, if we’re gonna compete on every single possession.”
“That feels like a pretty real answer,” said Noah Eagle, NBC’s lead play-by-play announcer.
Towns finished with 10 points in that game, second-most behind Wembanyama.
Then in Team World’s second game, against Brunson’s Team Stripes, he scored six points.
Midway through that third game, Brunson and Towns began guarding each other.
Towns drilled a 28-foot 3-pointer, then Brunson picked him up on the other end.
“I knew no matter what shot I shot, the ball was going in,” Brunson said of matching up with Towns. “Whenever KAT’s guarding me, I know what’s gonna happen.”
Jalen Brunson drives to the basket as Karl-Anthony Towns defends during the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 15. Imagn Images
But it certainly wasn’t a Knicks-centric show.
Towns’ Team World lost in their second game, meaning he was done for the night.
Brunson played in three games — his Stripes side beat the Stars in their first game, beat the World in their second game but were blown out by the Stars in the final.
Brunson took a back seat to his All-Star brethren, scoring a total of 13 points on 7-for-9 shooting between his three games.
It was ironic; Towns, whose foul complaints often go unheard in regular games, found a pair of rare free throws in the first of the usually foul-free All-Star games.
He was fouled by Barnes during the USA Stars vs. Team World game and hit both free throws.
A few minutes later, he drilled a 39-foot 3-pointer.
Later in that game, he was most at fault for the loss.
“This was a decision that was made in the best interest of our university and men’s basketball program," K-State athletic director Gene Taylor said. “Recent public comments and conduct, in addition to the program’s overall direction, have not aligned with K-State’s standards for supporting student-athletes and representing the university. We wish Coach Tang and his family all the best moving forward.”
The Wildcats are 10-15 this season with a 1-11 record in Big 12 play, which comes a season after final records of 16-17 in 2024-25 and 19-15 in 2023-24.
The decision comes days after Tang's scorched-earth news conference following Kansas State's 91-62 home loss to Cincinnati on Feb. 11, where Wildcats fans were wearing paper bags over their heads. Tang said his players didn't deserve to wear the school's uniforms after the performance.
Kansas State is coming off a 78-64 loss to Houston on Feb. 14, in which its players had their names removed from their jerseys for the game.
What did Jerome Tang say to get fired?
"This was embarrassing," Tang said after the Cincinnati loss. "These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform, and there will be very few of them in it next year. I'm embarrassed for the university, I'm embarrassed for our fans, and our student section. It's just ridiculous.
"We have practice at 6 a.m. tomorrow. I have no answers or no words. Y'all got two questions, so whoever wants to ask two questions, I'll answer 'em to the best of my ability right now. But right now, I'm pissed.
"These dudes have to have some pride, man. It means something to wear a K-State uniform. It means something to put on this purple, man. Our university's all about that, and it's why I love this place, man. They don't love this place, so they don't deserve to be here."
What Kansas State AD Gene Taylor said about firing Jerome Tang
At Sunday's news conference announcing the firing, Taylor said, "What he said about the student-athletes really concerned me."
"There's language in his contract that addresses certain things that could potentially bring embarrassment," Taylor added. "Basically, his comments about the student-athletes and the negative reaction to those comments from a lot of sources, both nationally and locally is where I kind of thought we needed to make the decision."
K-State Athletic Director Gene Taylor confirms that Jerome Tang's firing was FOR CAUSE. This followed statements Tang made about the student-athletes after Wednesday's loss to Cincinnati, where he stated: "These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform. There will be very few… pic.twitter.com/a1xOKr0eoR
“I am deeply disappointed with the university’s decision and strongly disagree with the characterization of my termination. I have always acted with integrity and faithfully fulfilled my responsibilities as head coach.
"I would like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the opportunity to serve as Head Coach at Kansas State. It has been one of the great honors of my life.
"I am grateful to the players, staff, and fans who make this program so special. I remain proud of what we built together and confident that I have always acted in the best interests of the university and our student-athletes."
How can Kansas State fire Jerome Tang for cause?
Kansas State can fire Tang for cause for the following reasons:
***Material breach of his agreement, intentional negligence, or other failure or refusal to perform his duties and responsibilities as head coach.
Insubordination; objectionable behavior
Failure to report any and all violations of NCAA rules
Fraud or dishonesty related to submitting documents to the NCAA
Serious or multiple rules violations involving himself, an assistant or staff member
Failure to reasonably respond accurately and fully within a reasonable time relating to the coach's duties to the athletic director
Instruct a coach, student or other person to respond inaccurately, inappropriately or incompetently or destroy or conceal evidence concerning a matter to a student or athletic program
Fail to obtain required approval for outside activities
*** — Among the notable duties listed in Tang's contract is to conduct himself in a manner consistent with being the head coach. It says that Tang is not to engage in any behavior, actions, or activities that subject himself, Kansas State athletics, or the university to public disrepute, embarrassment, ridicule, or scandal, with such conduct reflecting unfavorably on K-State athletics.
What's next at Kansas State?
Tang, a former longtime Baylor assistant, led Kansas State to the Elite Eight in his first year with the program in 2022-23 before eventually falling to national runner-up Florida Atlantic. The fall from grace was fast after reaching impressive heights as a first-year head coach.
Kansas State has three Elite Eight appearances since 2010 under three different coaches — Tang (2023) Bruce Weber (2018) and Frank Martin (2010). The school has produced numerous high-level coaches throughout the years, including Lon Kruger, Dana Altman and Bob Huggins, to name a few.
Associate head coach Matthew Driscoll will serve as interim head coach, Taylor said, as K-State begins its search for Tang's replacement.
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team USA Stars forward Jalen Johnson (1) of the Atlanta Hawks dunks the ball in game one against Team World during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Becoming an All-Star is probably every player’s dream, and some are able to make it a reality as they climb the ranks in the league. This year, Jalen Johnson put himself in that position, averaging 23.3 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game midway through the season. Not only was he selected to the All-Star Game, but he was right in his hometown, taking in the moment.
The league made sure to keep Johnson busy throughout the week, and the content was flowing from Friday morning to Sunday night.
Day 1: Touching down in LA, Dunk Contest manifestation?
Starting off when he landed in Los Angeles, and he got the first look at his All-Star jersey.
We surprised Jalen with his first look at his All-Star jersey when he touched down in LA 🥳 pic.twitter.com/f1tLeVLUvg
Later on in the day, Johnson met up with some young fans to take some pictures and sign autographs. One of the young kids spoke highly of the Hawks’ star, saying he believed in him since he was drafted.
That night is when the festivities began, and Johnson pulled up to the celebrity game to catch some of the world’s stars go up against each other.
Johnson was interviewed by Monica McNutt during the game, and during the segment, Richard Jefferson called him out by saying he doesn’t think he has enough bounce to participate in the dunk contest. In that same breath, Johnson said that he would be in the dunk contest one day.
That was definitely the highlight of the Day 1 for Johnson, and people will remember those words of him putting in a bid for a future dunk contest appearance.
Day 2: Media Day/ Shooting Stars with Team Cameron
Johnson got Day 2 started with pictures, and meeting up with the other All-Stars on the court.
After pictures, Johnson sat down for Media Day and answered a few questions, talking about his journey into becoming an All-Star, and how the G-League helped him to get where he is today.
The next event on Day 2 for Johnson was the Shooting Stars challenge, where he was a part of Team Cameron that included Kon Knueppel and Corey Maggette.
Unfortunately, their score in the final round was not enough to defeat Team Knicks. After the competition, Johnson spoke with the media. He didn’t seem to be happy with his performance.
Jalen Johnson when he came over to us after losing to Team Knicks in the KIA Shooting Stars competition:
Both teams ended up tying at the end of regulation, and overtime was the first to five points. Team Stars advanced after a Scottie Barnes three-pointer, and their next challenge was against Team Stripes. Johnson finished Game 1 with four points, one assist, and one block.
In Game 2, Johnson knocked a three-pointer, played some defense, and got a dunk.
It was another game that came down to the final possession, and a buzzer-beater three-pointer from Team Stripes led them to victory. Johnson finished Game 2 with five points, one rebound, one assist, and one steal.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 27: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics passes his teammates during team introductions before the game against the Miami Heat at TD Garden on October 27, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Schroeder/Getty Images) | Getty Images
During Sunday’s All-Star Game festivities, Jayson Tatum and the NBA on NBC dropped this trailer:
Per the YouTube summary, the five-part documentary:
For the first time in his life, the game that defined Jayson Tatum was taken away by an Achilles injury. The five-part docuseries THE QUIET WORK follows Jayson through the most challenging stretch of his career as he fights to return to the NBA. From the locker room to the hospital room, through rehab and recovery, and ultimately back to the court, this is the unseen side of his journey and the work no one ever witnesses.
Until now.
Paired with the news this weekend that the Celtics’ March 1st home game against visiting Philadelphia 76ers was rescheduled from 6 pm to primetime at 8 pm and air on NBC, the speculation that Tatum is set return soon seems more and more like a reality. He had previously said that his first game back would be at TD Garden.
Earlier in the week, President of Basketball Operations threw some cold water on the rising expectations that JT was just around the corner from stepping back on the floor, saying, “(It’s) best for Jayson Tatum to come back when he’s 110% healthy, he’s fully clear by everybody that matters in that decision and he’s got great peace of mind and ready to do it. That’s it. That’s the objective and that’s what we’re gonna stick with,” Stevens said.
“When we feel 100%, it’ll be his, it’ll be a group getting together and talking, but I think our medical people are really good, I think his doctors are really good, so we’re gonna listen to them, he’s listening to them. I think he and Nick have had an amazing work ethic through this recovery, and when it’s right, then we’ll all sit down and talk about it, but there’s still no force from us, there’s no pressure from us, but there’s also not going to be any of us saying, well, why don’t you take another week? When he’s ready, he’s ready.”
Then, Tatum’s rehab moved to controlled 5-on-5 including a practice with the Maine squad with Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams in tow.
After the workout, Tatum said, “It doesn’t mean I’m coming back or not.” There may still not be a definitive decision made, but all signs — the tea leaves, the media push, the physical ramp up — point to Tatum return on the horizon.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEB 14: Devin Booker of USA Stars Team of 2026 NBA All Star Game is seen during the Media Day event at Intuit Dome, Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, United States on February 14, 2026. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images) | Anadolu via Getty Images
Phoenix Suns star guard Devin Booker made another All-Star appearance this afternoon for Team USA’s “Stars” squad. He played a three-game roundrobin against Team World and Team Stripes, and finished 2-1 overall to win the event.
The first game against Team World went to overtime, where Booker and company were able to secure a 5-3 victory after a Scottie Barnes three. They lost at the buzzer to Team Stripes, who they would end up facing in the third and final “Championship” game.
Game 1 Line: 5 points, 4 assists, 1 rebound, 2-5 FG in 9 minutes, +12
Game 2 Line: 2 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1-3 FG in 9 minutes, -1
Game 3 Line: 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2-5 FG in 9 minutes, +22
FINAL LINE: 12 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 5-13 FG in 27 minutes, +33
Devin Booker strarted for Team USA, alongside Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Maxey, Anthony Edwards, and Jalen Duren.
He connected on his first three point attempt, then missed his next two. Booker had a nice dime to Ant, picking up their chemistry for the Olympic run as teammates.
Devin Booker's final line from the OT win in game one against Team World:
Devin Booker got high praise from NBC’s broadcast, crediting him for Team USA’s Olympic Gold Medal as an “unsung hero” for the defense and smaller role he took on offensively.
He was one of the first ones subbed out as Scottie Barnes and Jalen Johnson made their debuts.
In his second stint, he got another bucket, a board and dropped three more dimes as the game was winding down. He closed the overtime game out with a win to secure game one for Team Stars.
Book had a nice dime on the move to Maxey for a score, then followed that up with this work in the paint. In typical Book fashion, he didn’t rush or force anything and played steady throughout.
Booker and Team Stars secured the championship in a blowout, winning 47-21. A stark difference from the first three games, which all came down to the final possession(s). A solid showing for Devin Booker. He didn’t win MVP (Anthony Edwards took the honors) but he took on that “Olympic Book” role again to help his team take the win(s).
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team USA Stripes guard Donovan Mitchell (45) of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in game two during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images | William Liang-Imagn Images
The new All-Star format was a win for the NBA, even though the Cleveland Cavaliers’ lone representative, Donovan Mitchell, didn’t end up on the victorious team.
This year’s showcase was broken up into four mini-games. Mitchell’s veteran USA team, the Stripes, played against a younger USA team, the Stars, and a third team comprised of international players, the World.
Each team played each other in a 12-minute game. The teams with the two best records faced off in a final contest. The Stripes won their first two games, but ran out of gas in the final game against the younger Stars.
Mitchell played a pivotal role in the Stripes’ win over the Stars in their first game for both good and bad reasons.
With the Stripes up two with 23 seconds left, Mitchell was stripped by Anthony Edwards while attempting a spin move around him. Edwards then hit a transition three to give the Stars a one-point lead with 20 seconds to play.
Mitchell atoned on the final possession. Down one, with under 10-seconds left, Mitchell darted inside, got a pass from LeBron James, and promptly hit an open De’Aaron Fox in the corner for the buzzer-beating game winner.
Mitchell finished that game with six points on 2-3 shooting with three assists and two turnovers in his team’s 42-40 victory over the Stars.
The Stripes followed that up with a narrow 48-45 win over the World in their second outing.
Kawhi Leonard took control of that game, going 11-13 from the field for 31 points and two steals in the 12-minute game. This included hitting the game-winning triple with three seconds left.
Mitchell didn’t play as large a role in the second game. He didn’t attempt a shot, but was able to provide a block on Alperen Sengun.
The veteran-laden Stripes came undone in the final game against the younger USA team. James, Kevin Durant, and Leonard were all a step slow after playing three-straight games, and their two younger starters, Jalen Brunson and Jaylen Brown, did little to help.
The Stripes were down 26-9 halfway through the 12-minute game by the time Mitchell checked in. They went on to lose 47-21 with Mitchell providing six points in the contest.
Overall, Mitchell combined for 12 points on 4-7 shooting with three assists in 17 minutes across the three games.
Anthony Edwards received the Kobe Bryant Trophy for All-Star Game MVP.
This new All-Star format was fun. It was a definite win over some of the previous iterations with this resembling a basketball game for most of the night. The first three games were entertaining, before the event ran out of steam at the end.
Still, this was a clear step up from how unwatchable the All-Star Game has been in recent years.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Team USA Stripes and De’Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs and Team USA Stripes celebrate after Fox's game winning 3-pointer against Team USA Stars the 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome on February 15, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NBA found some (unexpected?) success with its new All-Star format on Sunday, even if it ended in a bit of a dud.
Luka Dončić and LeBron James took part in the three-team, USA vs. World format for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game which saw a trio of really exciting games before an underwhelming championship game.
LeBron’s Team Stripes won back-to-back games to earn a spot in the title game, but ran out of steam in the final, losing to the much younger Team Stars. Team World lost to each USA team in close contests. Luka did play in the first game, but only played a short stint before sitting out the remainder of the night.
Luka had a layup early in the first game between Team World and Team Stars after leaking out on a fastbreak. He played just past the five-minute mark of the first game before checking out.
The game had a little more intensity to it than previous versions, largely thanks to Victor Wembanyama setting the tone. Cade Cunningham, Devin Booker and Anthony Edwards matched that for Team Stars and the result a close contest in the final minutes.
Ant knocked down a three with 13 seconds left to tie the game, forcing overtime. In a race to five points, a jumper from Ant and a 3-pointer from Scottie Barnes sandwiched a Wemby 3-pointer to give Team Stars the win.
SCOTTIE BARNES WINS IT FOR USA STARS.
USA STARS VS. USA STRIPES COMING UP NEXT ON NBC & PEACOCK 🍿
Jamal Murray, in his first All-Star appearance, finished 0-6 and was a -14 in a game his team lost by two.
Team Stars stayed on the court as a result of the win to play Team Stripes and LeBron in the second game.
Kevin Durant opened the game with a three off a LeBron assist before LeBron added one of his own minutes later. The surest sign of an increased effort level was LeBron being fouled on an attempted offensive rebound putback.
Led by Kawhi Leonard and Jaylen Brown, Team Stripes built up a lead. While Team Stars closed it to two points in the final minutes, a 3-pointer from Donovan Mitchell added some more space between the sides and a LeBron logo three made it a six-point lead.
However, a couple of quick baskets preceded a steal and a pull-up 3-pointer in transition from Ant, giving Team Stars the lead with under 20 seconds left. With the game on the line, Team Stripes moved the ball around with De’Aaron Fox splashing home an open three at the buzzer.
De’Aaron Fox with the game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer to win it for Stripes over Stars, 42-40. pic.twitter.com/3qpRgkJo77
Team Stripes stayed on the floor for the final game of the round robin format to take on Team World. Luka did not start or play in the game.
Kawhi raced out of the gate with eight of the first 10 points in a back-and-forth game. Wemby took matters into his own hands to give Team World a lead. Jalen Brunson scored eight points in a hurry to try to answer Wemby’s surge.
With a Laker on the team across from him, Murray actually played like an All-Star this game, scoring eight points early as Team World opened up a 27-20 lead.
Out of a timeout, Kawhi was unconscious, hitting three straight threes to tie the game before a baseline jumper for 11 straight points to give Team Stripes the lead.
Team World came back into the game to tie it on a free throw. Kawhi threw down a dunk on one end before Wemby hit a three in response. Norman Powell made it a three-point lead before an and-one by Kawhi tied it again.
A LeBron putback dunk with 30 seconds remaining put Team Stripes up, but two Wemby freebies tied it again. Kawhi put his final stamp on the game with a stepback three over Wemby to put Team Stripes up three with 3.5 seconds left.
Wemby had an open look to tie the game at the buzzer but missed, eliminating Team World from the competition and setting up a Team Stripes and Team Stars final.
Playing in their third straight game, Team Stripes fell behind 12-1 in the opening minutes, forcing a timeout. After missing their first 10 shots, LeBron finally converted on a fastbreak dunk for Team Stripes’ first field goal.
LeBron and Brunson then hit 3-pointers, but Jalen Duren was punishing Team Stripes and their lack of centers while Ant took over with eight-straight points, making it 26-9 and forcing another timeout.
Team Stars’ run eventually reached 15-0 as the game was never close, as they won going away, 47-21. Anthony Edwards was named the MVP.
The two-time league MVP is in Los Angeles for All-Star weekend, albeit not playing in the first-time “USA vs. the World” format on Sunday due to the right calf injury that has sidelined him since Jan. 23.
In an interview with ESPN ahead of the All-Star showcase, the 31-year-old Antetokounmpo restated his commitment to Milwaukee for the rest of this season with an eye on adding another championship to the one he won in 2021.
Giannis Antetokounmp is pictured during the Bucks’ Jan. 11 game. AP
“As of today, I’m committed to the Milwaukee Bucks,” Antetokounmpo said in a sitdown with ESPN’s Malika Andrews. “I’m committed to the people that I work with, my teammates, the coaching staff, coach Doc [Rivers] and [GM] Jon [Horst] in the front office.
“What I’ve said from the beginning of this year is that, out of my mouth and the way I’ve carried myself, you will never hear me say I don’t want to be a Milwaukee Buck.”
Of course, multiple reports suggested otherwise before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, with ESPN insider Shams Charania reporting that the nine-time All-Star has been preparing to leave Milwaukee “for months,” either before the deadline or in the offseason.
Giannis Antetokounmpo looks to pass the ball during the Bucks’ Jan. 11 game. AP
The Bucks entered the break with a disappointing record of 23-30 and in 12th place in the East — but just 1.5 games behind the Hawks for the final spot in the 7-10 play-in tournament.
“Growing up, you dream, ‘Oh, what if I played for the Knicks, Madison Square Garden? What if I get drafted by the Lakers and I’m teammates with Kobe [Bryant]? What if I go play for the Cavs and LeBron [James] passes me the ball?'” Antetokounmpo said during the ESPN interview. “But this is my team, and I love it.”
It was the perfect setting for LeBron James to make the big announcement.
While every other NBA All-Star spoke to the media Saturday, James spoke Sunday, something he has done four straight years. But this time, the league’s signature event was in Los Angeles, where he has played the last eight seasons for the Lakers.
James, who will become an unrestricted free agent this summer, has 28 regular-season games left to figure out his future. NBAE via Getty Images
Would this be the moment we found out if one of the greatest athletes of all time was retiring or returning for a historic 24th season?
No such luck.
When James was asked if he knew what he’s going to do, he kicked the can.
“I want to live,” James said. “When I know, you guys will know. I don’t know. I have no idea. I just want to live. That’s all.”
James, who will become an unrestricted free agent this summer, has 28 regular-season games left to figure out his future.
Will he return to the Lakers? Will he tie a bow on his career by joining the Cavaliers, the team that drafted him as an 18-year-old in 2003? Will he team up with Steph Curry, whom he has singled out as the one player he’d most love to play alongside?
Or will he hang up his jersey for good?
As the Lakers make a playoff push, there’s a shadow hanging over them in the form of a question mark. If James retires, it would be the end of an era. It would mean we’d no longer get to watch arguably the greatest player of all time.
LeBron James and basketball have been synonymous for 23 years.
Sure, James’ stats are down a bit this season after he missed the first 14 games because of sciatica. But we’re not seeing the fading of a star. If James retired, it would be the disappearance of a star.
James is steeling himself for things to come to an end.
He teared up while watching a tribute video in Cleveland. He regularly talks about how special it is to share a locker room with his son, Bronny. He’s taking everything in as though it were the last time.
Sometimes he’s in the mood to talk about where his head is at. Sometimes he’s not. On Sunday, it was the latter.
If James retires, it would be the end of an era. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
When asked if he’s still interested in owning an NBA team with the league on the verge of a possible expansion, he was noncommittal.
“There’s a lot of things that I have on the table that I could tap into if I want to, that being one of them,” he said.
When asked if he has thought about what he wants the rest of his life to look like after he stops playing, he didn’t talk about work.
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“No, I think what I want to do at 45, 50 and 55 will be a lot of creating great vibes and fun with my family and my friends,” he said.
Three years ago during his All-Star media availability, he called the stretch run “the 23 most important regular-season games of my career.” When asked if he felt a similar urgency now considering his future is unknown, he denied that his impending decision colors anything.
“No. We’re gearing up toward the postseason,” he said. “It has nothing to do with that. Same motivation. Same mind factor. We’ve gotten past the marathon, and the sprint is about to start. I think everybody understands that.”
As for this season, James said everything is going to come down to the Lakers’ health. He, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have only played 10 games together. Meanwhile, the team added new pieces in Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia over the summer, while trading for Luke Kennard earlier this month.
When asked about the Lakers’ potential to contend, he acknowledged he didn’t know their ceiling.
“It’s too hard to really say what we’re capable of,” he said. “I know that when we’ve played some of our best basketball of the season, we’ve looked very good. On the other side, when we’ve been terrible, we’ve looked disgusting.”
On Sunday, it was clear James wanted to focus on the present.
He wanted to enjoy sharing the court with Curry and Kevin Durant. He wanted to take in what could possibly be his final All-Star Game.
The NBA All-Star Game is known for bringing together the most talented and notable players from around the league.
The game also attracts celebrities and public figures from across the country to gather and enjoy basketball.
Former United States President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were among those in attendance for the event, sitting next to basketball legend Julius Erving.
The game features two American teams and a World team at the Intuit Dome on Sunday, Feb. 15.
Obama is a known basketball fan who embraced the game and his fandom while he was in office. He would share his predictions for the NBA Finals or fill out a bracket for the NCAA college basketball tournament.
“There’s a lot of concern about the All-Star Game and not seeing effort (from the players),” Obama said during an interview with analyst Reggie Miller on the NBC broadcast. “Today we are seeing (that effort). Anytime you get Americans vs. International (teams), they want to bring it.”
The NBA has experimented with different formats for the All-Star Game in recent years. All three teams will play each other in a small tournament before the two teams meet in the championship game.
