The lights shone bright at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, as the NBA’s next generation took center stage for the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars Game, a highlight of All-Star Friday Night festivities. On February 13, 2026, basketball fans tuned in with anticipation, eager to catch a glimpse of the league’s future icons competing in a unique four-team tournament that’s quickly become a staple of NBA All-Star Weekend.
While the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game warmed up the crowd with star-studded antics at 7 p.m. ET—airing live on ESPN and streaming on ESPN Unlimited—the real intrigue for diehard hoops fans began at 9 p.m. ET. That’s when the Rising Stars tipped off, streamed exclusively on Peacock, drawing viewers eager to see which young talents might someday dominate the NBA’s main stage.
This year’s format, now in its fifth consecutive season, featured a four-team mini-tournament: three squads made up of NBA rookies and sophomores, and a fourth composed of G League standouts. Each NBA team was helmed by a bona fide legend—Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, and Vince Carter—while the G League team was guided by the seasoned Austin Rivers. The semifinals were played to a target score of 40 points, with the championship game played to 25, ensuring fast-paced, high-stakes action from start to finish.
Team Melo, led by Carmelo Anthony, entered the night as the odds-on favorite at +140, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. The roster was stacked: Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs), the reigning Rookie of the Year, joined forces with 7-foot-2 center Donovan Clingan (Portland Trail Blazers), Reed Sheppard (Houston Rockets), Ace Bailey (Utah Jazz), Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs), Jeremiah Fears (New Orleans Pelicans), and Collin Murray-Boyles (Toronto Raptors). Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks) was sidelined due to injury, but Anthony’s bench still brimmed with top-tier talent. As SportsLine expert Mike Barner put it, "Melo's team has four top-5 draft picks, while T-Mac has four top-6 draftees."
Facing Team Melo in the opening semifinal was Team Austin, a G League showcase coached by Austin Rivers. Rivers’ squad featured Jahmir Young (Sioux Falls Skyforce), Yang Hansen (Rip City Remix), Sean East II (Salt Lake City Stars), Ron Harper Jr. (Maine Celtics), Yanic Konan Niederhauser (San Diego Clippers), Alijah Martin (Raptors 905), and Tristen Newton (Rio Grande Valley Vipers). Despite their underdog status—clocking in at +900 odds—these hungry G Leaguers relished the opportunity to prove themselves against NBA peers.
The second semifinal pitted Team T-Mac, led by Tracy McGrady, against Team Vince, coached by Vince Carter. Team T-Mac’s roster boasted Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets), Kel'el Ware (Miami Heat), Tre Johnson (Washington Wizards), Jaylon Tyson (Cleveland Cavaliers), Zaccharie Risacher (Atlanta Hawks), Cam Spencer (Memphis Grizzlies), and Bub Carrington (Washington Wizards). Team Vince, meanwhile, featured VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers), Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans), Kyshawn George (Washington Wizards), Matas Buzelis (Chicago Bulls), Egor Demin (Brooklyn Nets), Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies), and Jaylen Wells (Memphis Grizzlies).
Mike Barner, whose NBA picks have been on a blistering 40-17 run, offered insight into the matchups: "Team T-Mac has the experience edge over Vince Carter's squad in that the former has the most sophomores, with five second-year players compared to Team Vince having just three." Barner also noted, "There's a sheer talent gap between Vince Carter's squad with those two others, and even in an exhibition game like the Rising Stars Challenge, that gulf should be apparent on the scoreboard."
With the games played to a set target score, the action was relentless. The opening contest between Team Melo and Team Austin saw Anthony’s NBA prospects favored by 5.5 points—a nod to their superior draft pedigree and the presence of Castle and Clingan, both considered future cornerstones of their respective franchises. The second semifinal had Team T-Mac as a 2.5-point favorite over Team Vince, reflecting the perceived depth and experience advantage.
Although the event is all about fun and future promise, the competitive fire was unmistakable. These young stars, many of whom were top-10 draft picks, relished the opportunity to compete under the guidance of Hall of Fame mentors. As Barner observed, "If there's anybody who can spot an edge in a matchup or identify a player in position to break out, it's him." With the likes of Anthony, McGrady, and Carter drawing up plays, the Rising Stars Game felt like a master class in both coaching and raw talent.
Fans watching on Peacock got a front-row seat to the future of basketball. The Intuit Dome’s atmosphere crackled with energy, as each possession brought highlight-reel dunks, pinpoint passes, and defensive stands that belied the exhibition label. For the G League players on Team Austin, the game represented a rare chance to showcase their skills on a national stage, perhaps earning a call-up or at least catching the eye of NBA scouts and executives.
Beyond the court, the Rising Stars Game continues to serve as a preview of what’s next for the league. The presence of so many recent high draft picks—four on Team Melo alone—underscored the NBA’s ever-accelerating youth movement. Meanwhile, the G League’s growing role in player development was on full display, with Austin Rivers’ squad proving that the talent pipeline is deeper than ever.
For those keeping an eye on the betting action, Team Melo’s status as favorite was hard to ignore, but the single-elimination format and the unpredictability of young players ensured that nothing was guaranteed. As the tournament unfolded, every bucket, block, and breakaway felt like a statement—one that could echo into the next NBA season and beyond.
As the night drew on, the championship game loomed, promising a final burst of intensity as the two semifinal winners vied for Rising Stars supremacy. Whether you were a diehard fan, a casual viewer, or a scout on the hunt for the next breakout star, the 2026 Rising Stars Game delivered exactly what it promised: a vibrant, unpredictable showcase of basketball’s brightest young talents.
With the action still fresh and the future wide open, all eyes are now on these rising stars—who will take the next step and become tomorrow’s NBA legends?