Anthony Edwards led Team USA Stars to the 2026 NBA All-Star Game title and took home the Kobe Bryant Most Valuable Player award at the Intuit Dome.
After the game, Edwards pointed to Victor Wembanyama for raising the competitive level.
Anthony Edwards Credited Victor Wembanyama for Instilling Energy in 2026 All-Star Game
The 2026 All-Star Game featured the NBA’s fourth different format in four years.
Two American teams — Team USA Stars (younger U.S. players) and Team Stripes (veteran U.S. stars) faced Team World in a round-robin setup before a final championship game. The goal was to create more competitive energy.
The effort showed. The event generally appeared to be played at a higher level than recent All-Star Games. Edwards gave all the credit to the French phenom, Wembanyama, for raising the level of emotion on the court.
Edwards said: “Wemby set the tone. He came out playing hard, and, you know, we had to follow that, and we had to pick it up as a red team, and we did that.”
“Wemby set the tone”
– Anthony Edwards on the All Star game pic.twitter.com/6NrhxVcroa
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) February 16, 2026
Wembanyama has, in fact, previously shown his commitment to bringing energy to the All-Star Game and doing everything he can to raise the intensity on the court.
Sunday, the French sensation provided 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks in the opener. In Game 3, he recorded 19 points on 6-for-8 shooting, including 2-for-3 from 3-point range, along with 5 free throws and 2 rebounds in 10 minutes during a 48-45 loss to Team Stripes.
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In the decisive game, Wembanyama led his team again but missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer that sealed the loss.
He was visibly frustrated earlier in the tournament when Team World left Scottie Barnes open behind the arc for a game-winning shot, reacting strongly to the defensive breakdown.
Wemby’s gonna be in the locker room interrogating KAT on where his loyalties liepic.twitter.com/OqDoVjkmN8
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) February 15, 2026
But overall the Spurs’ superstar seems to have enjoyed the competitive energy and the overall experience of the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.
Per Fox News: “It was a pretty good display of basketball,” Wembanyama said. “Better than last year, in my opinion. It was fun. … I think being honest with ourselves is good. It’s a game we love, it’s a game I personally cherish, so being competitive is the least I can do,” Wembanyama shared.
Edwards meanwhile, was the center of Team Stars’ offense throughout the night.
He opened with 13 points and 2 rebounds on 5-of-9 shooting, including 3-for-7 from beyond the arc, against Team World. He later added 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist on 5-for-8 shooting in a 42-40 loss to Team Stripes in round-robin play.
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In the championship game, Team Stars steamrolled Team Stripes, 47-21. Edwards finished with 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists in the final.
The Timberwolves star, playing in his fourth NBA All-Star Game, scored 32 total points across three games. He averaged 10.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game during the event.
He also hit a clutch 3-pointer to force overtime in Team Stars’ first game of the night. In that same opener, Barnes later hit the game-winning shot in overtime.
Edwards’ performance earned him his first All-Star Game MVP. He is the first Minnesota Timberwolves player to earn the honor since Kevin Garnett won it in 2003.
Edwards also embraced the challenge of facing veteran stars.
When asked about seeing Kevin Durant and LeBron James guard him, and why he wanted that matchup, Edwards responded:
“Yeah, for sure. I want to cook them every time. You know that.”
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game ended with stronger defense, visible intensity, and young stars leading the way. Edwards, at the center of it all, walked away with the MVP trophy and credit for recognizing who helped raise the level of play.