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The Slam Dunk Contest has been long considered the crown jewel of NBA All-Star weekend. The climactic point between the Rising Stars Game on Friday and the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, the dunk contest has been home to some of the most iconic moments in the history of the league — an indelible flash point in the legacies of stars such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter and Dominique Wilkins.

But while the history of the dunk contest is undeniable, its present has fallen flat despite attempts of stars such as Jaylen Brown trying to bring hype back to the event. This year, the field includes four young players — two of which are rookies — and though the initial reaction has been disappointment, don't rule out the chances of this year being a sleeper.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest:

When is the 2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest?

The 2026 NBA All-Star dunk contest will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14 in Los Angeles at the Intuit Dome, home of the Clippers. The dunk contest will directly follow the 3-point contest and the return of the shooting stars competition.

All-Star Saturday begins at 5:00 p.m. ET.

When is the 2026 NBA 3-Point Contest?

The 3-point contest is one part of the Saturday festivities, which begin at 5 p.m. ET. The 3-point contest will preceed the popular slam dunk event.

Who is participating in the 2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest?

• Carter Bryant (San Antonio Spurs; rookie)
• Jaxson Hayes (Los Angeles Lakers)
• Keshad Johnson (Miami Heat)
• Jase Richardson (Orlando Magic; rookie)

The dunk contest will have a new champion this year after three-time defending champion Mac McClung announced to ESPN through his father he'd be sitting out this year .

This year, the field features two rookies in Bryant and Richardson. Richardson, selected 25th overall by the Magic in last year's draft, is the son of two-time Slam Dunk Contest winner Jason Richardson (2002 and 03). Hayes is in his third season with the Lakers and seventh NBA season in total.

While not a starter, he's thrived in a backup role in LA and and has been the beneficiary of more than a few lobs from LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Johnson is in his second NBA season; his rookie year was split between Miami and their G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

The field is set for AT&T Slam Dunk ⬇️

A new champion will be crowned, with all four players making their event debuts.

Saturday, Feb. 14 | 5 PM ET
NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/QZ3TN9LrzA

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 7, 2026

Who is in the NBA 3-Point Contest?

Here are the participants competing in the three-point contest:

• Charlotte Hornets forward Kon Knueppel
• Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell
• Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray
• Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey
• Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker
• Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard
• Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis
• Miami Heat guard Norman Powell

Who won the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest last year?

McClung won the dunk contest in 2025, capping off a three-peat for the G League star that began in 2023. Though he won't be competing in 2026, McClung revealed on Twitter that he plans on sharing the dunks he had been working on after the contest ends.

But since we prepared for it Chuck, I’ll be releasing the dunks we came up with after the contest! https://t.co/gi5Z1xMg4K

— mac mcclung (@McclungMac) January 24, 2026

Who won the NBA 3-point contest last year?

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro netted 24 points in the final round of action to take the prize last year. He beat out the likes of sharpshooters Darius Garland and Buddy Hield.

Who are the judges for the 2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest?

The NBA announced that the judges for the 2026 Slam Dunk Contest will feature four former winners, including Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers Dominique Wilkins and Dwight Howard. Three-time dunk contest winner Nate Robinson — a three-time winner in 2006, 2009 and 2010 — and Brent Barry round out the field.

Wilkins, who won the dunk contest in 1985 and 1990, is one of the greatest dunkers of all time, having earned the nickname, "The Human Highlight Reel." He's best known for his legendary dunk contest battles with Michael Jordan in the late 80s, the first of which birthed Jordan's iconic dunk from the free throw line.

Howard won the dunk contest in 2008, and one year later helped Robinson secure the second of his three-peat by standing in as the 5'9 guard leapt over him for the jam.

The NBA announced that a fifth judge will be a content creator voted on by fans as the NBA ID member rep. The nominees are comedian Druski, NBA shooting coach Chris “Lethal Shooter” Matthews and Dude Perfect co-founder Tyler Toney.

YOU decide the final @ATT Slam Dunk judge! 👏

Will it be Tyler Toney, Lethal Shooter or Druski? Vote for your choice now on the NBA App and see who represents the fans, Saturday at 5pm/et on NBC and Peacock!

➡️ https://t.co/0s8Gy4Vgsvhttps://t.co/27oEHkzL6n

— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) February 10, 2026

What are the rules for the 2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest?

The full list of rules for the NBA Slam Dunk Contest can be found on the All-Star website.

Four dunkers will compete in the two-round competition. For each dunk, a score from 40 to 50 will be given by each judge. The average of the five judges’ scores will be the individual dunk score. The two players with the highest dunk scores at the end of the first round will advance to the second and final round.

For each scored dunk in both rounds (Dunks #1 and #2 in the First Round and Dunks #1 and #2 in the Final Round), each dunker will have 90 seconds and a maximum of three attempts to complete the dunk. If the player has not completed the dunk at the expiration of the 90 seconds, he will be given a final try to complete the dunk. If the player does not complete the dunk, he will receive a score of 40 points.

Tiebreakers in the first round will be decided by a vote from the judges; the player with the most votes will advance. In the second round, a tiebreaker will be decided by a one-dunk dunk off to determine the champion.

The NBA’s brightest young stars will be on display during the Rising Stars Challenge in the Los Angeles area on Friday, Feb. 13.

The league will spend the weekend in Inglewood, California, showcasing its talent, with rookies Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets) and VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers) headlining the Rising Stars Challenge tournament.

Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks was expected to compete, but was a late scratch due to injury. He was drafted to play for Team Melo. Flagg had averaged 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 49 games played this season. He's considered the favorite for the NBA's Rookie of the Year based on odds at BetMGM. Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr was also scheduled to participate, but it was announced Thursday that he will now be scratched and miss the next two weeks with a hamstring injury.

Knueppel is second, averaging 18.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in 53 games played for Charlotte. He will play for Team T-Mac.

Edgecombe has averaged 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 49 games played for Philly. He’ll play for Team Vince.

Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs and Ajay Mitchell of the Oklahoma City Thunder will also compete.

MORE: Kon Knueppel, VJ Edgecombe highlight NBA Rising Stars Challenge teams

How to watch NBA Rising Stars Game?

• When: Friday, Feb. 13, 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT)
• TV/Stream: Peacock
• Where: Intuit Dome (Inglewood, California) | Tickets

Who will play in the NBA Rising Stars Game?

Team Melo: Cooper Flagg, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, Jeremiah Fears, Donovan Clingan, Collin Murray-Boyles

Team T-Mac: Kon Knueppel, Kel’el Ware, Tre  Johnson, Ajay Mitchell, Jaylon Tyson, Cam Spencer.

Team Vince: VJ Edgecombe, Derik Queen, Kyshawn George, Matas Buzelis, Egor Demin, Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells.

Team Austin: Sean East II, Ron Harper Jr., Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Alijah Martin, Tristen Newton, Yang Hansen, Mac McClung, David Jones Garcia.

NBA Rising Stars Game Schedule

• Game 1: Team Melo vs. Team Austin
• Game 2: Team Vince vs. Team T-Mac
• Rising Stars Championship: (G1 winner vs. G2 winner)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to watch NBA All-Star Rising Stars game tonight: TV, streaming

KD and Hakeem discuss the transformation of hoops over the years, comparing the physical, center-heavy ’90s era to today’s shooter-driven game.

In the latest episode of Boardroom Talks, two generations of basketball greatness sat down to reflect on the evolution of the game. Kevin Durant, known for his smooth scoring and lethal versatility, wanted Hakeem Olajuwon's perspective on modern basketball. “I just really want to get your view on the game today and the style of play, because a lot of people frown upon how we play the game today,” Durant said, setting the stage for a conversation bridging decades.

Olajuwon, the Hall of Fame center who dominated the ’90s with unparalleled footwork and defensive prowess, leaned in. Durant explained how the ’90s represented a golden era of physicality, when centers ruled, spacing was different, and scoring was balanced by toughness. Hakeem acknowledged the shift: “Today's game, a lot of shooters. I mean, I've seen guys pass it up and lay up and kick it for 3.”

They marveled at how today’s stars create space and make the game look effortless. The conversation turned toward players who embody this new era, blending athleticism and craft. Hakeem complimented Durant directly: “You, No. 1.” Durant chuckled, appreciative of the nod from one of the greatest to ever play.

Their discussion flowed naturally from praise to analysis. Hakeem mentioned players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić, who make difficult shots off balance, one-legged, yet still convert. When Durant asked about Joel Embiid, a player who modeled his game similarly to Olajuwon, Hakeem summed it up simply: “I mean, he got everything.” Durant drew the comparison to Olajuwon, noting Embiid's moves and style that carry the legacy forward. “You can tell he watches you,” KD concluded, connecting the dots between eras.

By the end of their conversation, the room had become more than a reflection on basketball; it was a meditation on evolution, respect, and continuity. Two legends, from different eras, shared a language only the game could provide, revealing that while the style may change, the essence of excellence remains timeless.

Be sure to catch the full conversation here.

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Good morning, it’s Friday, February 13th. The Cleveland Cavaliers are 32-21 and are off until next Thursday. For now, enjoy the All-Star break, and maybe watch a Friday the 13th movie tonight to honor the holiday. I’d recommend part four or part six.

Since there are no games on tonight, we’ll instead focus on the Rising Stars Game, where Cavalier sophomore Jaylon Tyson will be competing.

Today’s Event of the Day

• 2026 Castrol Rising Stars Game – 9 PM, Peacock

NBA All-Star weekend is kicking off with the Rising Stars Game. This event returns with another tournament format featuring four different teams. Here are the rosters for each team:

Team Melo:

• Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks) (1st pick)
• Reed Sheppard (Houston Rockets)
• Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs)
• Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs)
• Jeremiah Fears (New Orleans Pelicans)
• Donovan Clingan (Portland Trail Blazers)
• Collin Murray-Boyles (Toronto Raptors)

Team T-Mac:

• Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets) (2nd pick)
• Kel’el Ware (Miami Heat)
• Tre Johnson (Washington Wizards)
• Alex Sarr (Washington Wizards)
• Ajay Mitchell (Oklahoma City Thunder)
• Jaylon Tyson (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• Cam Spencer (Memphis Grizzlies)

Team Vince:

• VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers) (3rd pick)
• Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans)
• Kyshawn George (Washington Wizards)
• Matas Buzelis (Chicago Bulls)
• Egor Dёmin (Brooklyn Nets)
• Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies)
• Jaylen Wells (Memphis Grizzlies)

Team G League:

• Sean East II (Salt Lake City Stars)
• Ron Harper Jr. (Maine Celtics)
• David Jones Garcia (Austin Spurs)
• Yanic Konan Niederhäuser (San Diego Clippers)
• Alijah Martin (Raptors 905)
• Tristen Newton (Rio Grande Valley Vipers)
• Yang Hansen (Rip City Remix)

Cavs links of the day

• James Harden shows off playmaking as Cavs win his home debut – ESPN
• 12 Stats to explain Cavs win over Wizards – Fear the Sword
• New information adds context to Harden’s trade to Cleveland – Cleveland.com

NBA links

• NBA fines multiple teams for sitting healthy players – NBC Sports
• Handing out ‘Heat’ awards for this NBA season – The Ringer
• Thunder’s Nikola Topic makes debut after battle with cancer – Yahoo Sports
• Giannis/Kalshi deal does the NBA no favors – ESPN

This may just be the feel-good moment to kick off All-Star Weekend:

On Thursday night as OKC faced the Milwaukee Bucks, Nikola Topic made his NBA debut.

Topic, the 12th pick in the 2024 NBA draft, missed all of last season because of a knee injury. Before the 2025-2026 season started, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He had a procedure in October, underwent chemotherapy, and has since been working his way back into shape.

The Serbian guard was given a loud ovation as he entered the game late in the first quarter. He tallied two points and an assist in twelve minutes of play.

Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.

Our community guidelines apply which should remind everyone to be cool, avoid personal attacks, not to troll and to watch the language.

The Utah Jazz have been fined $500,000 (£367,000) by the NBA for benching healthy players and "compromising the integrity" of the league.

Head coach Will Hardy removed stars Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr before the fourth quarter of their games against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat this month.

The tactic, known as 'tanking', is used by coaches to improve draft position by fielding a non-competitive team and forfeiting victory.

The draft system means teams finishing lowest in the standings have the best chances of landing the top prospects.

The Indiana Pacers were also fined $100,000 (£73,000) for violating the player participation policy during their defeat against the Jazz on 4 February.

"Overt behaviour like this that prioritises draft position over winning undermines the foundation of NBA competition and we will respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games," said NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

"Additionally, we are working with our competition committee and board of governors to implement further measures to root out this type of conduct."

A play-off push looks unlikely for both the Jazz, who are 13th in the Western Conference, and the Pacers, who sit 14th in the Eastern, and thoughts appear already to be turning to next season and how their roster will be assembled.

Utah led by nine points in the fourth quarter of their meeting with Orlando on 8 February but went on to lose 120-117, while they beat Miami 115-111 two days later.

"Agree to disagree. Also, we won the game in Miami and got fined? That makes sense," Utah owner Ryan Smith posted on social media.

Head coach Hardy defended his decision to bench Markkanen and Utah have also announced Jackson Jr will have season-ending surgery on his knee after this weekend's All-Star games.

"I sat Lauri because he was on a minutes restriction," Hardy said. "So if our medical team puts a minutes restriction on Lauri, I'll try to keep Lauri healthy."

Utah were also fined $100,000 (£73,000) last season for resting Markkanen in multiple games.

The Pacers' fine was issued for violating the player participation policy after a league investigation found Pascal Siakam and two other players who sat out the game "could have played" even if it was with "reduced minutes".

The policy was introduced in 2023 in an attempt to discourage teams from purposely losing to improve their chances in the draft lottery.

LOS ANGELES — The Lakers defeating a Mavericks team that sits 16 games under .500 wouldn’t typically be a feat to cheer about.

However, given that LA was playing without their starting center Deandre Ayton and their superstar Luka Dončić, the result was harder to achieve than the standings indicate.

Luckily, the Lakers have LeBron James.

In a career filled with memorable moments, the King had one more on Thursday. He wasn’t just the team’s de facto leader, he was the best player on the court.

LeBron ended the game with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists, marking his first triple-double of the season and making him the oldest player in NBA history to accomplish the feat.

“I think what it represents is pretty cool,” LeBron said postgame. “The fact that you can go out and be able to have an impact in three facets of the game. Rebounding, the assists, obviously, is what I love the most, being able to get my guys involved throughout my career, I’ve always loved that more than anything.”

LeBron’s dominance started from the jump. He scored or assisted on the team’s first 23 points. This stretch featured seven assists, seven points, and a pair of rebounds. Thanks to his performance, the Lakers led 36-31 after one quarter.

However, this wasn’t a game where LeBron did his damage early and coasted the rest of the way. LA needed him to be great until late into this contest.

As the second half started, the Lakers were up by just one point. So, LeBron went to work.

He had a considerable bounce to his step and was embracing his defensive assignments at a higher level than usual and more than should be expected for a 41-year-old.

LeBron continued to clean up the glass, helping LA win the battle of the boards, 44-28. And late in the third quarter, he had a dazzling dime to Jarred Vanderbilt, leading to an easy dunk that pushed the lead up to 14.

“He’s been doing a great job when he drives,” Rui Hachimura said. “He gets two, three, four guys, literally on him, so we get wide open shots and easy layups. We just got to be always ready and watch what he does.”

As the game entered the final stretch with the Lakers comfortably ahead, the only thing in doubt was whether LeBron would get the final rebound needed for a triple-double.

After a Tyus Jones miss, James corraled the rebound as the crowd erupted.

“I don’t take for granted how good he is,” head coach JJ Redick said. “I recognize that on a daily basis. I think it goes back to what I’ve said on numerous occasions. The more remarkable thing is how much he cares in his 23rd year, with all his accomplishments.

“He’s going to get another oldest player to do X, Y, or Z. He’s going to get another one of that. He’s going to further cement his scoring record. He’s going to do all those things. It’s really just the day-to-day professionalism and care factor that he exhibits that is the most remarkable thing. Like I said the other day, he’s got a 23-year prime, basically.”

The Lakers now enter the break at 33-21, good for fifth in the West. It’s not where they want to be, and LeBron himself has admitted they aren’t at a championship level yet, but this season is far from done. And if LA can finally string together games with LeBron, Luka and Austin Reaves playing, who knows how good they can be.

But what was made clear again on Thursday is that LeBron isn’t just good for his age. He’s elite with no context necessary. It’s why he’s about to participate in his 22nd All-Star Game. And it’s the reason that when his story does end, it will be up to him, because Father Time hasn’t had a say in the matter.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

LeBron James and the Lakers haven’t always been a match made in heaven.

A generation of Kobe Bryant fans who viewed LeBron as the rival were now watching him suit up in purple and gold and forced to reckon with it. Things haven’t been seamless for his time in Los Angeles, but it hasn’t stopped him from amazing feats as he fends off Father Time.

Thursday was another one of those games. The days sure seem to be counting down on his time in LA and it’s unclear how many more of these moments we have left. Even if it was against the lowly Mavs who are tanking. Even if it came in February in the final game before the All-Star break.

There’s a finite number of these performances remaining from LeBron. Don’t take them for granted.

So, let’s dive into the win. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.

LeBron James

35 minutes, 28 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists, 1 block, 4 turnovers, 10-20 FG, 2-7 3PT, 6-7 FT, +6

LeBron passes Karl Malone as the oldest player with a triple-double with this performance, both in Lakers and NBA history. We should do more to wipe Malone from history books.

Grade: A+

Rui Hachimura

35 minutes, 21 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, 9-13 FG, 3-4 3PT, +18

After getting back on track against the Bulls during the recent road trip, Rui has found his groove again. Over the last 10 games, he’s averaging 12.1 points per game, but doing it on 55.2% shooting from the field and 52.8% shooting from three.

Grade: A

Jaxson Hayes

34 minutes, 16 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, 8-10 FG, +26

After starting the game with a Shaqtin’ moment, he bounced back well with a strong showing. Now to see what he has in store for the dunk contest.

Grade: A-

Jake LaRavia

26 minutes, 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 4-6 FG, 0-1 3PT, 3-3 FT, +21

Jake’s 3-point shooting has fallen off a cliff. Already in a career-worst season shooting the ball from range, LaRavia went just 6-29 from three over the last nine games heading into the break. Here’s to hoping for some positive regression to wrap up the year.

Grade: B-

Marcus Smart

26 minutes, 9 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 fouls, 4-14 FG, 1-9 3PT, +6

I’ve probably said this before and I’m sure I’ll say it again, but bad Marcus Smart games are very loud. That he finished this game with a positive plus-minus feels like a minor miracle. His six assists to zero turnovers is his only saving grace in this one.

Grade: C-

Austin Reaves

28 minutes, 18 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 5-10 FG, 1-3 3PT, 7-9 FT, +6

Austin really burst onto the scene in his return from injury before looking far more human the rest of this home stand. There’s nothing wrong with that. He just set the bar really high with that Sixers game.

Here’s to him getting a week to rest, reset and hit some golf balls before the home stretch.

Grade: B+

Luka Kennard

18 minutes, 9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 fouls, 3-4 FG, 1-2 3PT, 2-2 FT, +13

There were a number of things I expected Kennard to bring to the Lakers. Seven rebounds in one game was not one of them.

Grade: A-

Maxi Kleber

13 minutes, 5 points, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, 2-3 FG, 1-2 3PT, -6

He’s performed admirably this week, but Kleber looked a lot like a third string center over the last three games.

Grade: C

Jarred Vanderbilt

17 minutes, 5 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 2-3 FG, 1-2 3PT, +10

On the wave of Vando’s 3-point shooting this season, we went into the All-Star break on an upswing as he hit four of his nine attempts over the last four games. I do not expect that to carry over at all.

Grade: A-

Adou Thiero, Dalton Knecht, Bronny James, Drew Timme, Kobe Bufkin

Nothing of note from the garbage time group aside from a nice, athletic finish from Thiero.

JJ Redick

Whether it was a bit of rolling the dice or letting him try to get his triple-double, Redick kept LeBron in the game for the first 10:15 of the fourth. Reaves also played an eight-minute stretch during that segment, too.

It was a pretty low-intensity quarter, so it’s not quite like the playoffs. That unit also was putting the game to rest so it was a small thing. But when things are working, Redick will clearly stick with a lineup.

Grade: B+

Thursday’s inactives: Deandre Ayton, Luka Dončić, Nick Smith Jr., Chris Mañon

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James became the oldest player in NBA history to have a triple-double, accomplishing the feat Thursday night at 41 years and 44 days old during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 124-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

James had 28 points and 12 assists when he grabbed his 10th rebound with 2:06 to play. He got a standing ovation when he checked out moments after completing his 123rd career triple-double, the fifth-most in NBA history.

James broke the record held for the past 22 years by Karl Malone, who recorded his final triple-double for the Lakers when he was 40 years and 127 days old.

“I guess I’m more appreciative of moments like this in my career, understanding where I’m at, at the later stage of my journey,” James said. “You definitely take it in a little bit more.”

James’ play has remained strong when healthy during his unprecedented 23rd NBA season, but the top scorer in NBA history hadn’t had a triple-double since Feb. 1, 2025, in the Lakers’ 128-112 win over the Knicks at the Garden.

That day is better remembered in Lakers history for the late-night breaking news of the seismic trade that brought Luka Dončić to the Lakers.

Malone had held the record as the oldest player with a triple-double since he had 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists on Nov. 28, 2003, during his final NBA season.

James recorded the next 15 triple-doubles on that list, and he repeatedly came close to setting the record over the past year, but didn’t quite reach it until the Lakers’ final game before the All-Star break.

“I think what it represents is pretty cool — the fact that you can go out and have an impact in three facets of the game,” James said. “Rebounding. The assists, obviously, are what I love the most. Being able to get my guys involved, throughout my career I’ve always loved that more than anything. And being able to put the ball in the basket, that’s part of this game as well. So I think what it means, to be able to have your hand in three facets of the game, making an impact in those three, that’s pretty cool.”

With Dončić sidelined by a mild hamstring strain, James was aggressive and active from the opening tip when he returned from his own injury absence during the Lakers’ loss to San Antonio on Tuesday.

After dancing gleefully in pregame warmups and screaming his way down the tunnel when he took the court, James put up 14 points and six assists in the first quarter alone against Dallas. He factored into the Lakers’ first 23 points of the game.

James had 18 points, eight assists and four rebounds by halftime.

He topped double digits in assists during the third quarter, but he didn’t come out of the game during the fourth quarter before he grabbed the three rebounds necessary to get the triple-double.

He almost had it a few possessions earlier, but Austin Reaves beat him to a board — and got an earful from the rest of the Lakers.

“Everybody on the team yelled at me,” Reaves said. “I don’t catch myself looking at the stats during the game, so we went to the bench and everybody let me know about it. He didn’t, but everybody (else), and I looked at him and said, ‘Shoot, my fault.’”

James was selected for his 22nd All-Star appearance this weekend at Intuit Dome even though he has missed 18 games this season due to injury.

That means James is ineligible for inclusion on his 22nd All-NBA team at the end of his unprecedented 23rd season.

James entered this game averaging 21.8 points, 6.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game for the Lakers, who are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race despite playing only 10 games with James, Doncic and Reaves simultaneously healthy.

James missed the first 14 games of the season while dealing with sciatica.

James has 152 career triple-doubles when the playoffs are included.

CORTIS — BIGHIT Music’s newest breakout and the first K-pop act ever slated to perform at the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game halftime show at Kia Forum — attended their first-ever Los Angeles Lakers game on Thursday night at Crypto.com arena.

Before tipoff, the five-member group — Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon and Keonho — toured the Lakers UCLA Health Training Center, walking the same halls as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Luka Dončić. They were gifted custom Lakers jerseys, stitched in purple and gold, and wore them proudly courtside when they were displayed on the videoboard at half-court in the third quarter. 

K-Pop band Cortis is at the Lakers game tonight. They’ll be performing during the NBA All-Star weekend pic.twitter.com/pIy3fNj4xn

— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) February 13, 2026

“You can really feel the energy,” James said, leaning into the roar. “It’s electric and really captivating. As fans, it’s incredibly inspiring for us. I think we’ll take a piece of that energy with us, and that inspiration and memory will stay with us for a long time.”

Keonho, who grew up watching games on a screen half a world away, called the moment surreal. “I’ve watched a lot of basketball games on screen… Now that we’re here in LA as ‘Friends of the NBA,’ being able to experience everything in person is really exciting.”

The NBA has long understood the global language of rhythm and sport, building bridges with artists like SUGA and expanding its “Friends of the NBA” initiative. But CORTIS represents something different — a generation that doesn’t wait for permission to cross markets. Their debut album, Color Outside the Lines, cracked the Billboard 200 at No. 15. Their single “GO!” landed on NBA 2K26’s official soundtrack. Their fanbase swelled past 19 million followers in just a couple months.

Earlier Thursday, they headlined NBA Crossover at the Los Angeles Convention Center, just blocks away. Friday night, they’ll make history at the Ruffles Celebrity Game halftime show — the first K-pop act to do so — stepping onto a stage traditionally reserved for American pop royalty.

For Martin, the Lakers’ legacy hit deeper than spectacle. “Seeing how the Lakers have continued their legacy for so many years, with new rookies, new players, new challenges, really inspired us,” he said. “Since we’re still rookies too, it made me think about how we should grow steadily and carry forward our own legacy one day.”

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CORTIS, just months removed from their August 2025 debut, are still in their infancy as a group, but one day they aspire to be like the 17-time NBA Champion Lakers. 

When CORTIS was shown on the video board, fans immediately reacted. Many in attendance stood and cheered. It wasn’t just a celebrity sighting. It was a cultural crossover – basketball’s best welcoming pop’s next frontier. As the Lakers went on to defeat the Mavericks 124-104, five rookies from South Korea in custom jerseys stood, clapped, and quietly studied how to build a dynasty of their own.

Following their performance at NBA Crossover, CORTIS came across the street to MAVS/LAKERS! pic.twitter.com/avwBA0HtvE

— NBA (@NBA) February 13, 2026

At the intersection of futility and ethical tanking, there you’ll find the 2025-26 Dallas Mavericks (19-35).

The Mavericks dropped their ninth straight loss on Thursday, this time to the Los Angeles Lakers (33-21) at Crypto.com Arena, 124-104. Dallas’ nine-game losing streak is now the franchise’s longest since the Mavs dropped 14 straight in the 1998-99 season. With the All-Star Break immediately following Thursday night’s game, the Mavericks have a real chance to lose every game for a full calendar month, as their schedule resumes on Feb. 20 at the Minnesota Timberwolves. Dallas last won a game on Jan. 22 in a 123-115 decision over the Golden State Warriors within the friendly confines of American Airlines Center.

Naji Marshall (foot) and Daniel Gafford (ankle) went down late in Thursday’s game and did not return, starting their All-Star Break a little early. Marshall and Max Christie led the Mavericks with 19 points apiece in the loss.

12-2: Dueling runs to open the game

The Lakers embarked on an early 12-2 run after P.J. Washington hit a floater in the lane to tie the game at 2-2. LeBron James scored eight of the Lakers’ 12 points during the run, including a 29-foot 3-pointer from the left wing that forced the Mavericks into their first timeout of the game, trailing 14-4 just 3:10 into the game.

Dallas responded with a 12-2 run of its own after the early timeout. After turning the ball over twice to fuel the Lakers’ run, Naji Marshall stopped the bleeding with a reverse layup through the teeth of the LA defense to make it 14-6. Two minutes later, he stole the ball from Jake LaRavia and found new teammate Khris Middleton trailing the break, wide open at the top of the key for a 3-pointer to tie the game at 16-16 with 6:50 left in the first.

The Mavs and the Lakers played a fast-paced last half of the first quarter despite both teams employing a zone defense in the halfcourt and without the best players on each roster on the floor. Los Angeles took a 36-31 lead after one, behind 14 points and six assists from James.

11-0, then 12-0: Dueling second-quarter runs

The Lakers were clinging to a one-point lead midway through the second when LaRavia and Marcus Smart sparked an 11-0 LA run, extending the lead to 55-43 with 5:15 remaining before the break. James found Smart for a cutting layup, resulting in James’ eighth assist of the game to start the run. LaRavia scored the next five before Smart dished a couple of assists of his own to keep the run going. Despite his effectiveness during the second-quarter run, Smart started the game shooting just 3-of-12 from the field and 0-of-7 from 3-point range.

LaRavia scored seven points on 3-of-4 shooting in the second after drawing the start in Luka Dončić’s absence (hamstring) and going scoreless in the first quarter.

Then, right on queue once more, the scrappy, short-handed Mavs responded with a 12-0 run to end the first half. Marshall was the architect once more. He scored seven points during the run and assisted on two more buckets to bring Dallas to within 64-63 at the break.

Marshall led the Mavs with 16 points, four dimes and two steals at halftime, while James turned back the hands of time on the other end of the floor to lead the Lakers with 18 points and eight assists in the first half. After turning the ball over five times in the first quarter, the Mavericks gave it away just twice in the second to help them claw their way back in it.

The Lakers’ scoreless stretch lasted 4:16 of game time, from the end of the second quarter through the first minute and change of the third.

19: Mavericks’ third-quarter points

Dallas couldn’t find a bucket after briefly taking the lead early in the third quarter, though. The Mavs shot just 5-of-13 from the field in the last 8:40 of the third and got trucked, 26-11, the rest of the way. The Lakers took a 96-82 lead into the fourth quarter, as the unsung four-headed monster of Luke Kennard, Jarred Vanderbilt, Maxi Kleber and Jaxson Hayes combined for 21 of LA’s 32 points in the third.

After scrapping hard to keep up with the short-handed Lakers, the Mavericks were all out of juice in the third. They once again turned the ball over five times in the frame.

55.8%: Lakers’ shooting from the field

The Mavericks just couldn’t get stops against a Lakers’ squad missing its most talented scorer. That was the bottom line on Thursday. The Mavs are driving the most ethical tank in the NBA right now. Even if they wanted to win, they just can’t. They are unable to field a winning basketball team. You almost know the result before the game tips off.

The Lakers shot 13-of-21 (61.3%) from the field in the fourth quarter to coast to the easy win and usher in the All-Star Break.

28/12/10: LeBron James’ first triple-double of 2025-26

James may have scored just 12 points in the final three quarters, but his 28 points, 12 assists and 10 boards gave him his first triple-double of the 2025-26 season, his 23rd in the NBA. Just remarkable. It was his 123rd career triple-double and the third of his career against the Mavericks. He stayed in the game a little longer than he otherwise might have and grabbed his 10th rebound of the game with 1:26 to play.

“It’s pretty cool to be able to still play at this level,” James said in his televised postgame interview.