The NBA All-Star Weekend has arrived in spectacular fashion, with the 2026 edition unfolding at the gleaming new Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Over three action-packed days, from February 13 to February 15, basketball fans from around the world are tuning in for a fresh take on the league’s midseason showcase—a new format that’s already got everyone talking. If you thought you’d seen every twist the NBA could throw, think again. This year, the All-Star Game isn’t just a clash between East and West, or even the familiar Team LeBron vs. Team Giannis. Instead, the league has rolled out a round-robin tournament featuring three squads: USA Stars, USA Stripes, and Team World. It’s a format that promises unpredictability, drama, and plenty of highlights.
Friday night kicked things off with a bang. The Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN was a crowd-pleaser, followed by the Rising Stars games and the Castrol Rising Stars Championship, all streaming on Peacock. For those who love a little college rivalry, the NBA HBCU Classic pitted Hampton against North Carolina A&T later in the evening. Saturday was no less electric, with fans treated to Media Day, Commissioner Adam Silver’s news conference, and the always anticipated All-Star Saturday Night. The State Farm 3-Point Contest, Kia Shooting Stars, and AT&T Slam Dunk Contest all aired on NBC and Peacock, setting the stage for Sunday’s main event.
But let’s be honest: All eyes are on Sunday, February 15, when the NBA All-Star Championship Game tips off at 7:10 p.m. ET. Before that, though, there’s a full slate of basketball, including the NBA G League Next Up Game at 2:30 p.m. ET and a trio of All-Star Games starting at 5 p.m. ET. The stakes? More than just bragging rights. Players on the winning team will each pocket $125,000, while second and third place finishers receive $50,000 and $25,000, respectively. Not a bad haul for a midseason exhibition!
The rosters themselves are a testament to the NBA’s global reach and evolving style. For the first time, the league’s All-Star talent has been split into three distinct teams. The USA Stars, coached by J.B. Bickerstaff of the Detroit Pistons, lean young and hungry, featuring rising talents like Scottie Barnes, Devin Booker, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Anthony Edwards, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Johnson, and Tyrese Maxey. Bickerstaff, who’s got two of his own Pistons (Cunningham and Duren) on the squad, must be relishing the chance to let his group loose on the big stage.
On the other side of the American spectrum, you’ve got the USA Stripes, helmed by San Antonio Spurs assistant Mitch Johnson. This is the veteran-laden crew, headlined by LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Stephen Curry (though sidelined by injury), Brandon Ingram, Donovan Mitchell, and Norman Powell. It’s a who’s who of All-Star mainstays, many of whom have double-digit appearances. But with age comes wisdom—and, according to some, maybe a little less hunger than their younger counterparts.
Then there’s Team World, led by Raptors coach Darko Rajaković. This squad brings together the NBA’s finest international talent: Giannis Antetokounmpo (injured), Deni Avdija, Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (injured), Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Pascal Siakam, Alperen Şengün, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Victor Wembanyama. Notably, some roster moves raised eyebrows—Karl-Anthony Towns and Norman Powell, both U.S.-born, are on Team World due to their international affiliations. The global flavor is strong, but with stars like Giannis and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out, the team’s firepower takes a hit.
The new format itself is a talking point. Here’s how it works: Game 1 sees the USA Stars face off against Team World. The winner of that matchup immediately takes on the USA Stripes in Game 2. The loser of Game 1 gets another shot at the Stripes in Game 3. At the end of these three games, the two teams with the best record advance to the championship, with point differential as the tiebreaker in the event of a three-way tie. It’s a structure designed to keep every contest meaningful and every player engaged—no coasting allowed.
Injury replacements and last-minute roster tweaks have added to the intrigue. De’Aaron Fox joined the All-Star ranks on Thursday, while Brandon Ingram and Norman Powell were shuffled to ensure competitive balance. Powell’s move to Team World, for example, came after Giannis Antetokounmpo was ruled out. The league’s flexibility in assigning players based on national team experience rather than birthplace has sparked some debate, but it’s all in the spirit of creating an even and exciting tournament.
Of course, it wouldn’t be All-Star Weekend without the classic side events. The slam dunk contest features Keshad Johnson, Jase Richardson, Carter Bryant, and Jaxson Hayes, each hoping to deliver the next viral moment. The 3-point contest is loaded, with Damian Lillard, Devin Booker, Kon Kneuppel, Tyrese Maxey, Jamal Murray, Donovan Mitchell, Bobby Portis, and Norman Powell all taking aim from deep. These events continue to be fan favorites, offering a blend of showmanship and skill that’s pure NBA entertainment.
As for predictions? NBA.com’s own writers are leaning heavily toward the youthful USA Stars. Steve Aschburner summed up the prevailing sentiment: “Their roster looks most like a ‘We Got Next’ assemblage of talent, ambition and eagerness to be the last group standing at the Intuit Dome.” Brian Martin echoed that, noting, “I’m leaning toward the younger USA Stars, with ascending stars like Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Maxey, Cade Cunningham and Chet Holmgren ready to show out.” Injuries to Team World have certainly shifted expectations, but the consensus is clear: the young guns are ready to seize the spotlight.
For those looking to catch every moment, NBC and Peacock are the primary broadcast homes, with select events on ESPN and NBA TV. Peacock subscribers can stream live for as little as $11 a month, while Walmart+ members can access Peacock at no additional cost. ESPN’s revamped streaming platform also offers a robust lineup of NBA content for diehard fans.
With the championship game just hours away, anticipation is at a fever pitch. Will the veterans of USA Stripes leverage their experience, or will the youthful exuberance of the USA Stars carry the day? Can Team World overcome its injury woes and surprise everyone? The only certainty is that fans are in for a treat as the NBA’s brightest stars showcase their skills under the lights of Inglewood’s newest arena. Stay tuned, because this All-Star Weekend is far from over—and the action is only heating up.