Giannis Antetokounmpo has never been one to just show up-he shows out. And during the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend, the Milwaukee Bucks superstar once again made his presence felt, both on and off the court.
Selected as a starter for Team World, Giannis notched his 10th consecutive All-Star appearance-an impressive milestone that speaks to his sustained dominance in the league. The format this year added a fresh twist: three squads-Team World, Team USA Stripes, and Team USA Stars-squared off in a round-robin, mini-tournament-style game, with each matchup lasting 12 minutes. It was a fast-paced, high-energy showcase that packed a lot of star power into a condensed format.
Team World featured a formidable lineup with international icons like Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, and Giannis himself. On the other side, Team Stripes rolled out a who's-who of American talent, including LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Kawhi Leonard. The final result saw Team USA Stars emerge victorious, but as is often the case with All-Star Weekend, it wasn’t just about the scoreboard-it was about the moments.
And Giannis delivered one of the weekend’s most memorable ones, in the most Giannis way possible: with humor, heart, and a little bit of dad energy.
While sitting courtside, his young son was caught on camera enthusiastically cheering for Kawhi Leonard-a moment that didn’t sit quite right with the two-time MVP. In a light-hearted exchange, Giannis gently redirected his son’s cheering, playfully turning his applause into boos. It was a wholesome, hilarious moment that quickly made the rounds online and reminded fans that even NBA superstars aren’t immune to the challenges of parenting-especially when your kid roots for the opposing team.
But Giannis wasn’t done bringing the laughs.
Later in the game, with six minutes left on the clock, he found himself in a humorous back-and-forth with the referees-Sean Wright, Karl Lane, and Brent Barnaky. In classic Giannis fashion, he leaned into the USA vs.
World narrative and jokingly accused the refs of playing favorites. “You guys are US citizens, and you don’t care about the rest of the world,” he said with a grin, gesturing toward the officials during a stoppage in play.
“That’s what it is.”
The moment was caught on camera and quickly went viral, adding another highlight to an already electric All-Star Weekend. It was vintage Giannis-competitive, charismatic, and completely unfiltered.
On the court, Team World came up just short in a tight 48-45 loss to Team USA Stripes. But the game itself felt more like a celebration than a contest, with stars from across the globe coming together to put on a show for the fans.
Now, with All-Star festivities in the rearview mirror, the focus shifts to the stretch run of the regular season. For Giannis and the Bucks, that means gearing up for a postseason push. But for one weekend in February, it was all about fun, family, and a little friendly international rivalry-exactly the kind of energy that makes All-Star Weekend special.