The 2026 NBA All-Star Game is flipping the script in a major way. This Sunday in Los Angeles, it’s not just East vs.
West, or even USA vs. the World - it’s USA vs. the World vs. USA.
For the first time ever, the NBA is rolling out a three-team format, turning the league’s annual midseason celebration into a mini-tournament featuring 25 of the game's biggest names.
Here’s how it works: three teams, four games, one champion. Each game is 12 minutes long.
The first three matchups are round-robin style - every team plays the other once. Then, the two squads with the best records meet in a final showdown to decide who takes home bragging rights from L.A.
Team World enters the weekend with the spotlight firmly on its shoulders. With international superstars like Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, and Victor Wembanyama leading the charge, this group isn’t just talented - it’s loaded.
Wembanyama, in particular, has drawn a ton of buzz. The towering French phenom came into the weekend with the best odds to win MVP honors, and it’s easy to see why.
His mix of size, skill, and showmanship is tailor-made for the All-Star stage.
But don’t count out the Americans - even if they’re split across two rosters.
Team USA Stars is built around the league’s rising generation. Cade Cunningham and Tyrese Maxey headline a group that’s young, fast, and hungry to prove they belong on the same stage as the game’s elite. This is the NBA’s future, and they’re ready to show they can compete with anyone - even the legends.
Speaking of legends, Team USA Stripes brings the star power. LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Kawhi Leonard anchor a roster full of veteran presence and playoff-tested experience.
These are the names that have defined the last decade-plus of NBA basketball. And while they’ve got nothing left to prove, don’t think for a second they’re not coming to win.
Unfortunately, a few marquee names won’t be suiting up. Stephen Curry, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are all sidelined with injuries. Their absence takes a bit of shine off the rosters, but the depth of talent across all three teams means the show will go on - and then some.
So what can fans expect? Fast-paced action, plenty of highlights, and a fresh twist on the All-Star tradition.
This new format isn’t just a gimmick - it’s a chance to see how the game’s best stack up in a whole new setting. Whether it’s the international flair of Team World, the youthful energy of the Stars, or the seasoned dominance of the Stripes, Sunday’s tournament promises to be a showcase of basketball at its most entertaining.
Get ready, L.A. - the All-Star Game is getting a full-court makeover.