Anthony Edwards looked genuinely stunned when NBA commissioner Adam Silver called his name as the Most Valuable Player of the 2026 All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome.
In a revamped format introduced for the event’s 75th edition, the league replaced the traditional single-game clash with a round-robin, four mini-game structure. Each contest lasted 12 minutes, forcing media voters to evaluate impact and consistency across multiple bursts rather than relying on a single high-scoring performance.
That complexity made the MVP race far from straightforward. Standout performances from Kawhi Leonard and Victor Wembanyama briefly threatened to steal the spotlight. However, both saw their campaigns stall when their teams dropped their final games of the day.
In the end, Edwards emerged as the most influential figure on the victorious USA Stars squad. The 24-year-old Minnesota Timberwolves guard delivered when it mattered most, especially in the decisive fourth contest. Though he scored just eight points in that finale, his cumulative output told a stronger story — 32 points in 26 minutes, converting 13 of 22 shots overall and six three-pointers.
“It means a lot,” Edwards said. “I love Minnesota, and I know Minnesota loves me. I said I wasn’t going to put on a show for them, but I gave them a show.”
Edwards’ timely shot-making proved pivotal. He drained a three-pointer to force overtime in the opening game and moments later pushed his team ahead. In another contest, he believed he had clinched victory by hitting what he thought was the winning basket, only to realize the 12-minute clock format meant play continued.
“We didn’t know you play the whole 12 minutes out,” he admitted. “[De’Aaron] Fox came back and hit a three, and they won. I kind of felt like we got wigged out, but it’s all good.”
Leonard dazzled the home crowd with 31 points on 11-of-13 shooting, including six triples, in an earlier win. For a moment, it appeared the Los Angeles native might continue the tradition of host-city heroes claiming MVP honors — a feat achieved last year by Stephen Curry.
Wembanyama also impressed, totaling 33 points, eight rebounds and three blocks across two games. “It was a pretty good display of basketball,” he said. “Better than last year, in my opinion. It was fun.”
Still, Edwards’ all-around consistency and clutch moments ultimately separated him. As the USA Stars completed their tournament run, it was Edwards lifting the Kobe Bryant Trophy — and putting his own stamp on a new era of All-Star competition.
