In a weekend meant to celebrate the NBA’s brightest stars, it was Anthony Edwards who stole the spotlight-and the hardware. The 24-year-old Minnesota Timberwolves guard took home the 2026 Kobe Bryant All-Star Game MVP trophy after leading the USA Stars squad to a win over the USA Stripes and the World Team. Edwards poured in 32 points and grabbed nine boards across the contests, but it wasn’t just the numbers that stood out-it was the way he played.
This year’s All-Star format brought a noticeable edge, a level of competitiveness that’s been missing in recent years. And Edwards was right in the middle of it.
He attacked the game with a mindset that felt like a throwback to the days when All-Star Sunday meant something more than just dunks and laughs. That shift in tone?
It’s something Kobe Bryant would’ve appreciated.
“Hopefully I can get three more trophies like Kobe Bryant,” Edwards said after the game, trophy in hand and eyes already on the future.
That’s not just a soundbite-it’s a statement. Edwards has long drawn comparisons to the late Lakers legend, and not just because of his position or highlight-reel athleticism.
There’s a certain fire in his game, a confidence that borders on defiance, the kind of attitude that doesn’t shrink from the moment. He doesn’t just want to be great-he expects to be.
Kobe was known for treating the All-Star Game like it was Game 7 of the Finals, and Edwards brought that same energy. He wasn’t out there just to entertain-he was out there to compete.
That mindset helped elevate the entire event, which in recent years had become more of a showcase than a showdown. This time, players were going at each other.
There was pride on the line. And Edwards thrived in that environment.
It’s hard not to see shades of Kobe in the way Edwards carries himself-confident, relentless, and unapologetically competitive. Of course, it’s still early in his career, but this MVP performance feels like a milestone, a signpost on the road to something bigger. With his first All-Star MVP now in hand, the foundation is there for a legacy that could one day echo the very name on the trophy he just claimed.
Also making a brief appearance in the All-Star Game was Lakers star Luka Dončić, who’s been working his way back from a hamstring injury. Dončić didn’t play much, but he made it clear he wanted to suit up for the fans who voted him in. After the game, he said the hamstring “felt good,” a promising sign for Lakers fans looking ahead to the stretch run.
Dončić, like Edwards, brings that fearless approach every time he steps on the floor. And while his All-Star minutes were limited, just seeing him out there-even briefly-was a reminder of the respect he has for the game and the fans who support it.
But the night belonged to Anthony Edwards. On a stage filled with stars, he shined the brightest. And if this performance is any indication, we’re watching the rise of a player who’s not just aiming for greatness-he’s chasing history.