Finally, a Real All-Star Game: Defense, Energy, and a Format That Just Might Stick
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - For the first time in a long time, the NBA All-Star Game felt like… well, a real game. Not a glorified layup line.
Not a three-point contest in disguise. But a game where guys actually cared.
Where defense was played. Where effort wasn’t just an afterthought.
The real winners on Sunday night? The fans. They finally got the show they’ve been waiting for.
Let’s break down the biggest storylines from All-Star Weekend - the hits, the misses, and everything in between.
USA vs. World Format: A+
Let’s start with the biggest change - and the biggest success.
The new USA vs. World format had some skeptics going in, but once the ball tipped, the players made it clear: they were here to compete. And that’s what made all the difference.
Kevin Durant summed it up best: “Definitely a step up in the competitive department compared to last season.”
Victor Wembanyama added, “I liked it. I wouldn’t be against this format in the future, and I wouldn’t be against the regular East versus West either.”
Even Kawhi Leonard, who’s usually as measured as they come, saw the merit: “I thought it was good, but I still think going back to East-West will be great. I think guys will compete still.”
That’s the key moving forward - the format only works if the players buy in. This year, they did.
Tyrese Maxey brought it on both ends, saying, “I’m going to play some defense. I’ll score when I can, but I want to play hard, bring energy, get some steals, and have fun.”
That’s the kind of mindset that made this game pop. It echoed the spirit of 2020, when the NBA introduced the target score format and got one of the most competitive All-Star Games in recent memory.
But as we saw in the years after, that fire can fade fast. The league might tweak things again - maybe shorter games, maybe a fresh twist - but the real secret sauce is effort.
This year, they had it. And it showed.
Championship Game: D
After three thrilling games, the finale was a letdown.
It started with promise - Edwards and Wembanyama went toe-to-toe in Game 1, Fox hit a game-winner in Game 2, and Kawhi exploded for 31 in Game 3. But in the championship? The vets came out flat, the young guns came out blazing, and suddenly it was 12-1.
The defense disappeared. The shot selection got reckless. And just like that, we were back to the All-Star games of old, where the scoreboard lit up but the intensity dimmed.
It was one off-key note in an otherwise electric night, but it reminded us how quickly the energy can shift.
Kawhi Leonard: A
Kawhi didn’t just show up - he took over.
In Game 3, Leonard dropped 31 points in just 12 minutes, earning MVP votes even though his team didn’t win. He was locked in, efficient, and completely in rhythm - the kind of performance that makes you remember exactly why he’s still one of the best in the game.
“It was great. Happy that Adam [Silver] let me in,” Leonard said after being added to the roster late.
“That’s what the home crowd wanted to see. I’m glad I was able to do something in that game.”
Since December 1, Leonard’s been playing at an elite level - averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 boards, and hitting nearly 38.3% from deep. But this was special. Clippers fans at Intuit Dome - especially those in The Wall - got a show from their franchise cornerstone.
Anthony Edwards: A
Anthony Edwards didn’t just win MVP - he earned it.
Before the game, he played it cool: “It is what it is.” But once the lights came on, Edwards flipped the switch. He was the best player on the floor in all three games, leading Team Stars with swagger, shot-making, and a whole lot of hustle.
He even gave credit to Wembanyama for setting the tone: “It was definitely competitive with all three teams, I feel like. I feel like the old heads played hard, too. They were playing real good defense.”
Edwards brought the energy, hit clutch shots, and showed why he’s one of the league’s brightest young stars. And when 2 Chainz is asking for your autograph after the game? Yeah, you know you’ve arrived.
World Team: Incomplete
We got flashes. Wembanyama was sensational.
Jokic had his moments. But the World squad was missing some serious firepower.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal strain) sat out. Luka Dončić played five minutes in Game 1 and didn’t return.
Jokic didn’t suit up for Game 2. That’s a lot of star wattage on the bench.
If this format sticks, and the full World roster is healthy, we could be in for something special. But this year, we didn’t get the full picture.
Damian Lillard: A
The feel-good story of All-Star Saturday night belonged to Dame.
After missing the season recovering from a torn Achilles, Damian Lillard stepped back onto the court - and right into the winner’s circle. He claimed his third 3-Point Contest title, draining shot after shot in vintage form.
Seeing him back in a Portland jersey, letting it fly with that signature smooth release? That was a moment. Lillard is one of the league’s most respected veterans, and watching him shine again was a highlight all its own.
Dunk Contest: C-
Let’s be real - the Dunk Contest continues to search for its spark.
This year’s edition had a few moments, but nothing that truly wowed. Keshad Johnson brought some flair and earned the win, but overall, the contest felt… flat.
Not terrible. Just mid.
It’s the same story we’ve seen in recent years: the in-arena energy is better than what comes across on TV, but unless someone delivers something truly jaw-dropping, it’s tough to recapture the magic of past contests.
John Tesh: A
When NBC announced that John Tesh would perform “Roundball Rock” live, there were some raised eyebrows. But once he hit those opening notes, the nostalgia hit hard.
It worked. It really worked.
The iconic theme - forever linked to Jordan-era NBA glory - brought the house down. It was a perfect nod to the past on a night that, for once, reminded us what the All-Star Game can be when the players bring the effort.
Bottom Line:
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game gave fans something they haven’t had in years - a reason to care.
The USA vs. World format brought out the best in some of the league’s biggest names, and while not every moment landed, the overall product was a massive step forward.
Now the challenge? Keeping that same energy next year.