Edwards Hails New Format and Wembanyama’s Intensity as NBA All-Star Game Regains Competitive Edge

Posted : 17 February 2026

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards believes two key elements transformed Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game into a far more competitive spectacle: the introduction of a fresh tournament-style format and the early intensity shown by San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama.

Edwards himself played a decisive role, delivering an MVP-worthy display with 32 points, nine rebounds and three assists, narrowly edging Kawhi Leonard for the award.

The league replaced the traditional Eastern Conference versus Western Conference setup with a three-team format featuring Team Stars (young American standouts), Team Stripes (veteran American players), and a World team made up of international talent.

Instead of four quarters, the event adopted a round-robin structure consisting of four 12-minute games, adding urgency and sharper competition throughout the night.

Wembanyama set the early tempo in the opening matchup, producing 14 points, six rebounds and three blocks for Team World. Edwards responded with 13 points, including a clutch three-pointer that forced overtime. In the sudden-death extra session, Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes sealed a dramatic 37-35 win for Team Stars with a decisive three. Wembanyama’s visible frustration after the defensive lapse underlined how seriously he approached the contest.

The second game was equally tight, as Team Stripes edged Team Stars 42-40 thanks to a last-gasp three-pointer from Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox.

The third encounter belonged to Leonard, who thrilled fans at the Intuit Dome with 31 points on near-flawless shooting, guiding Team Stripes past Team World 48-45 despite another strong outing from Wembanyama.

However, the final showdown proved one-sided. Team Stars dominated Team Stripes 47-21, with Edwards contributing eight points in the decider while Leonard struggled to replicate his earlier brilliance. Edwards’ overall impact earned him 10 of the 14 MVP votes from media and fans.

Several players agreed that the revised structure heightened the level of play. Kevin Durant noted that the competitiveness marked a clear improvement from last season, while Edwards expressed enthusiasm for retaining the format in future editions.

Leonard, meanwhile, suggested that whether the league sticks with the new system or returns to the traditional East-West clash, maintaining intensity should remain the priority.

For Edwards, defeating the World team carried particular satisfaction. The 24-year-old guard admitted that overcoming a group often labeled as the best global talent added extra meaning to the triumph, reinforcing his belief that the revamped format successfully restored pride and competitiveness to the All-Star stage.

Edwards Hails New Format and Wembanyama’s Intensity as NBA All-Star Game Regains Competitive Edge

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics