Category: Sports News

After three exciting games, Vince Carter’s team rose to the top in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday night at Intuit Dome, defeating Carmelo Anthony’s team 25-24 in the championship game of the four-team competition during NBA All-Star weekend.

Philadelphia 76ers rookie shooting guard VJ Edgecombe was named most valuable player after making the tying and winning free throws. He scored six points in the final and netted the deciding points in both of his team’s games.

“No pressure,” Edgecombe said after he was fouled on a drive to the basket with Team Carter trailing 24-23. He swished the first of two attempts at the foul line, then calmly hit the second to end the first-to-25 points finale. “Free throws are precious and we needed them to win the game. We all wanted to compete. I hate losing. My teammates found me, I had open shots and I made them.”

One of the most thrilling moments for Edgecombe came before the tournament even started when he met Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

“I got to sit with him and shook his hand,” Edecombe said. “We didn’t have a conversation but he’s one of the greats of all time and just him showing love even though he retired a long time ago means a lot.”

In the first semifinal, Team Melo took an early 12-4 lead but found itself trailing 30-26 to the G League squad coached by former NBA player Austin Rivers. Houston’s Reed Sheppard made a corner three-pointer that gave his team a 34-32 lead before San Antonio’s Dylan Harper ended the sprint to 40 points with a 15-foot jumper to seal Team Melo’s 40-34 triumph. Portland’s Donovan Clingan led the way with nine points for the victors.

The game pitted Ron Harper Jr. (Main Celtics) matched up against San Antonio rookie and younger brother Dylan Harper of Team Melo, who was drafted No. 2 by San Antonio. They are the sons of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper Sr.

Yanic Konan Niederhäuser of San Diego, the Clippers’ G League affiliate, had 10 for the G Leaguers.

Then, Team Vince clinched a berth to the final with a 41-36 triumph over Team T-Mac, with Edgecombe scoring 17 points, including a long fallaway jumper that put Carter’s squad over the threshold.

Cavaliers guard-forward Jaylon Tyson led Tracy McGrady’s group with 10.

“I’m glad we got the win for him,” Edgecombe said of Carter, an eight-time All-Star who played 22 seasons in the NBA. “He told us ‘why not play hard?’ He had a lot of energy, he told us to go, go, go… and we fed off that, especially late in the first game.”

Having three Hall of Fame coaches this year added prestige to what was established as the Rookie Challenge in 1994 that featured two teams of first-year players. The name was changed to Rising Stars Challenge in 2012 to include second-year players, and the current tournament-style format was adopted four years ago. Since 2023 it has featured 28 players — seven G League players along with 21 rookies and sophomores.

Read more:Complete coverage: NBA All-Star Weekend 2026

Rounding out Team Carter were Derik Queen (New Orleans), Kyshawn George (Washington), Matas Buzelis (Chicago), Egor Dёmin (Brooklyn), Jaylen Wells (Memphis) and Carter Bryant (San Antonio).

“It was a “cool experience,” Team T-Mac guard Jaylon Tyson of the Cavaliers said. “I wish we could’ve played a full game.”

Team Melo entered as the favorite despite the absence of Dallas forward Cooper Flagg, who Anthony had drafted No. 1 for the mini-tournament, but was ruled out Wednesday due to a left foot sprain and replaced by Utah’s Ace Bailey, who was chosen fifth overall in the 2025 NBA Draft and was the only player in the top nine not drafted to one of the Rising Stars teams.

Edgecombe hopes he gets to play in the Sunday game someday.

“It would be a true blessing to be an All-Star one day,” he said. “I won’t take it for granted.”

As the Rising Stars Challenge was tipping off at the Clippers’ home arena, the Celebrity Game was ending two miles up the road at Kia Forum, former home of the Lakers.

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama tossed the jump ball, with rapper GloRilla winning the opening tip against reality TV star Taylor Frankie Paul.

The score was tied 55-55 with four minutes left before “double-time” scoring helped Team Giannis, coached by Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts, beat Team Anthony, coached by comedian Anthony Anderson, 65-58.

Emmy-winning actor and comedian Rome Flynn scored 17 points and had four assists to win his second straight MVP.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

The insider life is a 24/7, 365-day grind.

But Kevin Durant wasn’t going to let it slide.

ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania took part in Friday night’s NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, and during the middle of the action, he was seen typing away on his phone.

My goodness, have some respect @ShamsCharania…during the game?????????? pic.twitter.com/gjTwKNzk7x

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) February 14, 2026

Durant, the 15-time All-Star, took to X, posting a photo of the news-breaker along with sharing his thoughts.

“My goodness, have some respect @ShamsCharania …during the game??????????” Durant wrote on his account.

But the NBA reporter didn’t just get shade from Durant.

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, coaching one of the teams with his brothers, Thanasis and  Alex, took a shot at Charania’s playing abilities when discussing the contest with ESPN before the game.

“You know why it’s not fair? ‘Cause I have Shams on my team,” Antetokounmpo said. “He cannot hoop. But everybody else can hoop. So in the offseason, we grab them as free agents.”

Whether or not Charania was a factor, Team Antetokounmpo knocked off the team led by actor Anthony Anderson, 65-58.

Actor Rome Flynn, known for his role in the “How to Get Away with Murder” TV series, scored 17 points to claim his second straight celebrity All-Star MVP.

And, for what it’s worth, Charania did not post to X during the contest. Whether Antetokounmpo has him on his team again is another story.

OXFORD, Ohio (AP) — Brant Byers scored 21 points, Peter Suder had 20 and 23rd-ranked Miami University beat Ohio 90-74 on Friday night to remain the lone unbeaten team in Division I.

Eian Elmer added 15 points for the RedHawks (25-0, 11-0 Mid-American Conference), who tied the single-season school record for victories set last season.

Jackson Paveletzke led Ohio (13-13, 7-6) with 22 points and Javan Simmons scored 12. The Bobcats struggled on 3-pointers, making only 5 of 21 while the RedHawks were 9 of 18 from beyond the arc and 21 of 28 on free throws.

Byers, Suder and Almar Atlason had six rebounds apiece as the RedHawks had a 38-29 advantage on the boards.

Miami had a 43-35 lead at halftime before steadily pulling away. It opened the second half on a 7-2 run, including five points by Byers, who finished 13 of 16 from the foul line.

The largest lead was 83-63 with four minutes remaining.

The game was close for the first 15 minutes. The RedHawks were up 30-26 before getting some breathing room with an 11-4 run to extend their lead to 41-30 with 1:58 remaining in the first half.

Miami tied a school record for single-game home attendance with a sellout crowd of 10,640 at Millett Hall. It was the same crowd figure for the Jan. 31 game against Northern Illinois.

Up next

Ohio: Hosts Ball State on Tuesday night.

Miami: At UMass on Tuesday night.

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Team Vince won the 2026 NBA Rising Stars championship on Friday night with Washington Wizards guard Kyshawn George contributing in both contests.

In the semifinals, Team Vince played Team T-Mac which also featured Wizards guard Bub Carrington and forward Tre Johnson. In that contest, Team Vince won 41-36 with George scoring 4 points and VJ Edgecombe leading the way with 17 points for the victors. For Team T-Mac, Johnson scored 8 points while Carrington also scored 2 more.

In the other semifinal, Team Melo beat Team Austin, 40-34.

The final had Team Vince facing off against Team Melo and won 25-24. George scored 2 points while Edgecombe led again with 6 points. Edgecombe also won the Rising Stars MVP award.

It’s good to see one of the Wizards’ younger players come away with some hardware leaving the Rising Stars challenge. From hereon, Washington won’t really be part of All-Star Weekend. So I hope you enjoy Valentine’s Day tomorrow and the long weekend which includes President’s Day on Monday.

The ghosts still live in the rafters of the Forum.

You can feel them the moment you walk through those circular corridors in Inglewood — the echoes of Magic’s no-look passes, Kareem’s skyhook carving air like a sculptor’s blade, the bass line of the Showtime Lakers pulsing through a building that once felt like the center of the basketball universe.

With most of NBA All-Star Weekend migrating down the street to the glistening new Intuit Dome, it felt right — almost rebellious — that the Ruffles Celebrity All-Star Game planted its flag back inside the old cathedral: the Fabulous Forum.

Before a single ball was tipped, the afternoon delivered its most authentic moment. Former NBA forward Richard Jefferson strolled his kids through the legendary Forum Club entrance, where Lakers icon James Worthy greeted them like a velvet-rope guardian of basketball history. Worthy playfully demanded a password before letting them in, smiling as he reminisced about the good old days. It was nostalgia with a wink — a reminder that this building once demanded excellence.

Then the game started.

And excellence quietly slipped out the side door.

Let’s call it what it was: a glorified YMCA pick-up game with better lighting and worse defense. I’ve had runs at 24-hour fitness with more urgency and effort. The Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game has always been an exhibition, but this version often felt like an influencer’s content shoot masquerading as competition.

There were more air balls than baskets made. Strange gimmicky bonuses floated through each quarter like carnival prizes. NBA Mascots playing defense? Eight-point shots? Sure. Why not. When Chinese actor-singer Dylan Wang received the loudest ovation of all during the roster introductions — you understood immediately what Friday afternoon was really about: spectacle over substance.

There were moments worth the price of admission. Watching Victor Wembanyama conduct the opening tip while looking up — actually looking up — at 7-foot-6 Tacko Fall was a visual glitch in the basketball matrix. Since when does Wemby crane his neck for anyone? Fall, predictably, dominated stretches of the game, turning the paint into his personal backyard court. It would be the equivalent of a normal person lowering the hoop down to 6 feet and playing against kindergartners. 

Rome Flynn goes off the backboard to Tacko Fall for the alley-oop slam!

@RUFFLES Celeb Game on ESPN pic.twitter.com/4pJMrxm6zI

— NBA (@NBA) February 14, 2026

The surprise performance of the afternoon came from former Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen, who flashed real athleticism, slicing through the lane with purpose. Finishing at the rim, draining jump shots and blocking shots. Allen seemed to be the only player on the court who upped the competitive level of play.

Keenan Allen with the in-and-out dribble

Tap to watch on ESPN: https://t.co/KpC9nJ3izvpic.twitter.com/3EkFywKGpv

— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) February 14, 2026

“I had a lot of fun,” Allen said afterward. “I wish we could have gotten the W.”

Fun, yes. Competitive, no.

And that’s where the NBA has to take a long look in the mirror.

The highlight of the day wasn’t a crossover or a dunk. It was halftime. K-pop sensation CORTIS turned the Forum into a glowing constellation. Thousands of fans, many clearly there just for them, lifted their phones as the arena lights dimmed into a full-blown Showtime fever dream. Built-in seat lighting shimmered. Rappers including 2 Chainz and two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo bounced along courtside. For a moment, it felt like the old Lakers glory days — lights down, spotlight bright, the building alive.

Cortis' FULL halftime performance at the @RUFFLES Celeb Game pic.twitter.com/KjVwmtnWVC

— NBA (@NBA) February 14, 2026

That’s the irony. The halftime performance felt like it had more star power than the game itself.

Allen didn’t mince words about sharing the floor with former NBA pros like Fall and Jeremy Lin, who casually drained an eight-point shot that sealed the 65-58 victory for Team Giannis.

“That’s a bunch of BS,” Allen said. “Jeremy Lin hit an eight-point shot, Tacko Fall went off … like what are we supposed to do? Most of us are normal people. We have to have big faces out here. Keep the celebrities coming.”

He’s right.

If this is going to be the NBA’s Hollywood showcase, then go all in. Load it with real A-listers who can actually hoop. Imagine Adam Sandler tossing lobs to Timothée Chalamet. Picture Justin Bieber crossing up Zac Efron. George Clooney plays pickup games before the Oscars — invite him. Call Ben Affleck. Call Matt Damon. Rapper J. Cole has real bounce. Give fans something that feels like a cultural event, not a mildly organized open gym session.

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Team Giannis rallied to defeat Anthony Anderson’s squad, with Rome Flynn scoring 17 points and taking home MVP honors for the second straight year — though if we’re being honest, Fall’s impact told a different story. But that’s the thing about this game. It’s not really about the box score.

It’s about the vibe.

Friday afternoon at the Kia Forum had it — history, music, flashes of athletic brilliance. What it lacked was edge. Urgency. True star wattage on the hardwood.

In a city that understands spectacle better than anywhere on Earth, the Celebrity All-Star Game feels like it’s flirting with greatness. The building deserves more. The game of basketball deserves more. The fans deserve more.

The ghosts in the rafters are still watching.

The rationale for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ decision to trade Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers for James Harden has been dissected ad nauseam. The team believes that they have a small window to win this season. Harden makes them a better team during that time.

Garland last played an NBA game on Jan. 14 in the Cavs win over the Philadelphia 76ers. He left that game with a right great toe injury. The team announced on the following day that the injury would be re-evaluated in seven to 10 days.

That latest injury was to the opposite toe as the one that Garland injured at the end of last season. The injury to the left great toe is what required him to miss multiple playoff games and led to surgery over the summer.

Garland returned to the court early this season, but never quite looked right. The speed and ability to move side-to-side simply weren’t at the level we saw last season, and he admitted as much at times.

Apparently, the initial injury to the left great toe is going to keep him out “indefinitely” with the Clippers, according to The Athletic’s Law Murray.

Murray recently wrote:

He (Garland) mentioned in his Clippers introduction that he is “back on the court, working out, doing all the things I love to do. Just waiting on the green light — I’m ready to hoop.” (Lawrence) Frank (Clippers President of Basketball Operations) said that the Clippers will change Garland’s injury designation to reflect that the right foot toe sprain that has kept him out for nearly four weeks has healed, while Garland’s still-sore, surgically repaired left foot toe will keep him out indefinitely.

“We are going to manage this correctly, OK?” Frank said. “We are not gonna skip any steps. Because we think the short-term investment will lead to long-term rewards. … We’re gonna get it right and take as long as it takes. But we’re very confident that by taking the time now, it’s gonna give him a long runway. He’s only 26, and we want to see him playing at a high level for a long time.”

As more news comes out, it becomes clear that Garland’s toe was a major factor in why the trade was executed and why the Cavs had to add a second-round pick to make it all work.

So far, the deal has gone well for the Cavs. Harden has played phenomenally, but it is disappointing that the Cavaliers weren’t able to have Garland healthy when they needed him during the last postseason, and that he still isn’t quite 100%.

VJ Edgecombe, the crunch-time machine, got after it once again on the national stage!

On Friday evening during the Rising Stars event, Edgecombe played for Vince Carter and Team Vince as part of the All-Star Weekend festivities. When I say this is the most unimportant basketball activity that the beloved Sixers rookie has undertaken in years, I truly mean it, but Edgecombe showcased the skills that have endeared himself so much to Philadelphia and that have everyone believing he will soon be a great NBA player.

In the semifinals matchup with Tracy McGrady’s Team T-Mac, Edgecombe dropped 17 points, including multiple threes, a downright beautiful finger roll and a mid-range jumper that made it a 41-36 game to have Team Vince advance to the championship round. Edgecombe scored Team Vince’s final 10 points on the road to a matchup against Carmelo Anthony’s Team Melo.

🚨 VJ EDGECOMBE FOR THE WIN 🚨 pic.twitter.com/ShduedLrKQ

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 14, 2026

As Edgecombe heated up in the semifinals, Peacock commentator Reggie Miller remarked that Edgecombe was coming for the event’s MVP Award. That was the vibe and he was ultimately proved correct!

I was ready to be completely dismissive of this night entirely, writing that Edgecombe’s winning style of basketball probably wouldn’t gel well with first-time teammates rather than being in a more cohesive, season-long situation, but Edgecombe was a crunch-time maestro to open things up, playing more spirited basketball than anyone out there.

In the championship bout that was a race to hit or eclipse 25 points, Edgecombe wasn’t as pronounced as a scorer or ball-handler initially. He did the “little things,” once more pushing the ball in transition, working as a handy passer and playing all out defensively. Edgecombe made his scoring impact known once again, however, when things mattered the most. Edgecombe fought for an offensive rebound and put-back bucket that had Team Vince take a 23-22 lead late over Team Melo. It was pure effort with Edgecombe barreling through traffic. It was the type of energy that Sixers fans are already accustomed to seeing on a nightly basis with the rookie.

with the put-back! 😤 pic.twitter.com/mZy2NkUzZO

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 14, 2026

Driving to the basket for the win with Team Melo soon taking a 24-23 lead, Edgecombe was fouled and sent to the charity stripe. Edgecombe, naturally, sank both shots, giving Team Vince the 25-24 win.

I know the common refrain is that All-Star Weekend has been mightily diluted, but it was a blast watching Edgecombe do his thing. Let’s keep it rolling with Tyrese Maxey taking part in the three-point contest and the All-Star Game itself the next few days!

Nets rookie Egor Demin showed what he could do for Team Vince en route to winning the 2026 Rising Stars Championship on Friday night in Los Angeles.

For Demin and Team Vince -- coached by Nets legend Vince Carter -- the tournament began with a 41-36 win over Team T-Mac (the target score was 40). In the game, Demin scored just two points on 1 of 3 shooting, but came down with two rebounds, dished two assists and came up with one steal in his nine minutes of play. 

Team Vince advanced thanks to the heroics of Phillies rookie VJ Edgecombe, who scored 17 points. Edgecombe scored 10 straight, including the game-winner, to help the team get to the finals against Team Melo. 

In the Finals, Demin didn't factor too much down the stretch. He scored a quick bucket, going 1-for-2 with two rebounds and a block in four minutes of play but it was Edgecombe again with the heroics. In a back-and-forth game, the Sixers guard won the game for Team Vince. Down 24-23 (target score was 25 points), Edgecombe drove to the basket and was fouled by Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan. Edgecombe knocked down both free throws to win the game.

Edgecombe won MVP of the tournament.

DËMIN DUNK!!! pic.twitter.com/TMK9qh5G5X

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 14, 2026

Egor findin' his teammates 🤝 pic.twitter.com/mXa9qs3Ab8

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 14, 2026

yessirrrr @whoisegor3! pic.twitter.com/Ya49KNn17u

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 14, 2026

Cleveland Cavaliers wing Jaylon Tyson had a strong showing in the Rising Stars game on Friday evening. He led Team T-Mac in points (10) and rebounds (5) in their loss to Team Vince.

The format for this competition is a mini-tournament. The two teams played a game to 40 points, with the winner advancing to the final. Since Tyson’s team lost, his night was over after one mini-game.

Tyson performed well. He kept his team in the game with timely scoring and rebounding. He also provided some resistance on the defensive end, which is about as much as you can ask for in this All-Star game setting. It was a solid outing for the second-year Cavalier.

His highlights of the night were a nice alley-oop to Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware and a smooth Euro-step to keep his team within striking distance down the stretch.

🫡 HE GOT THAT TO GO.@jaylontyson | @NBAAllStar | #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/WeVHsACgcg

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 14, 2026

Donovan Mitchell was there to support his teammate with a front-row seat. He called for the MVP award for Tyson before the game even started, and cheered for him every opportunity he had from courtside.

Jaylon Tyson MVP‼️

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) February 14, 2026

Tyson’s team didn’t have an answer for Philadelphia 76ers rookie V.J. Edgecombe. He provided a game-high 17 points on 6-8 shooting to help lead Team Vince to the victory.

Team Vince went on to defeat Team Melo in the final game of the Rising Stars mini-tournament.

Mitchell is the lone representative for the Cavs for the remainder of NBA All-Star Weekend. He’ll be participating in the 3-Point Contest on Saturday and will be on one of the two US teams in the All-Star Game on Sunday.

In a game that featured Tacko Fall dunks, mascots playing defense and NBA and MLB MVPs on the sidelines, it was a boy band that actually stole the show on Friday night at the Kia Forum.

CORTIS consistently drew the biggest cheers at the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in Inglewood, especially after they took the floor to perform two songs at halftime.

Giannis enjoying Cortis at halftime of celebrity game here at the Forum. pic.twitter.com/CJIL72eZER

— Edward Lewis (@Edward__Lewis) February 14, 2026

The fivesome belted out “GO!” and “FaSHioN,” and their vocals and dance moves were so mesmerizing, even Giannis Antetokounmpo — a coach of one of the All-Star teams — stopped for a moment to catch the show with his family.

CORTIS hung around for most of the matchup’s second half in some courtside seats, and at one point, the exhibition’s emcee got the hundreds in attendance to sing “Happy Birthday” to Keonho.

Fans could later be heard roaring when the group left the arena in the fourth quarter.

It’s the second straight night CORTIS has wowed in Los Angeles. On Thursday, they performed at the NBA Crossover fan festivities in Downtown LA and then got the VIP treatment at the Lakers vs. Mavericks game.

Prior to Friday night’s tilt, Mookie Betts — another high-profile coach at the celeb game — invited them to head out to Dodger Stadium this season.

The K-pop sensations, of course, were hardly the only famous figures watching actors, musicians and athletes battle it out on the hardwood. Guy Fieri, Victor Wembanyama, Devin Booker, 2 Chainz and Dwight Howard all had chairs to catch the action.

Team Giannis ultimately bested Team Anthony (coached by comedian Anthony Anderson), 65-58. Actor Rome Flynn took home MVP honors for the second straight year.

But, for those in the building, it was clear the biggest winners Friday were CORTIS.

The rumors about LeBron James returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers after this season have been somewhat non-stop since he played against his former team last month. Since then, there was a report that the Cavs would welcome James back, The Athletic said a return to Cleveland would be the “obvious destination,” veteran reporter Jason Lloyd said LeBron will be playing in Cleveland next season if anywhere, and Donovan Mitchell and James Harden are rumored to be recruiting him.

We have one more rumor to add to that list.

On Friday, ESPN’s Tim McMahon said on NBA Today that there’s “rampant speculation” around the league that James will sign with Cleveland for a potential retirement tour this summer.

Tim MacMahon on LeBron James:

There is rampant speculation around the league that this summer there's going to be a reunion and potentially a retirement tour for the ages back home again with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

pic.twitter.com/Ma4MWU4a4x

— Jaylon Tyson Fan Club (@IsaacOkoroFan) February 13, 2026

At this point, it feels like LeBron will be returning home to Cleveland unless he retires after this season. What that would look like from a salary perspective remains to be seen.

The Cavs are currently over the second apron. They would not have access to the full mid-level exception unless they got under both aprons and then cut additional salary to carve out a spot for that exception. There’s also the possibility of a sign-and-trade if the Cavs get below the first apron. Or, James could opt to sign for a minimum contract.

It’s pointless to speculate too much on the finances at this point. There’s numerous scenarios for making this work from a cap perspective. If both sides want James to play in Cleveland, they’ll find a way to make it happen as they did back in 2014.

Even though LeBron is 41 years old, he’s still playing at an exceptionally high level. He recorded a triple-double in his last outing in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ win over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. On the season, James is averaging 22 points, 7.1 assists, and 5.8 rebounds on .502/.305/.746 shooting splits in a mostly supporting role alongside Luka Doncic.

We’ll see how this plays out. In the meantime, we can rest assured that there’s going to be plenty more rumors about James returning to Cleveland between now and July.