All articles tagged with #nba all star
NBC Sports’ 2026 NBA All-Star (USA vs. The World) averaged 8.8 million viewers across NBC, Peacock and Telemundo, peaking at 9.8 million and marking the event’s largest audience since 2011; Anthony Edwards was MVP for the USA Stars and Victor Wembanyama starred for the World, with the day’s Milan Cortina Olympics coverage averaging 26.6 million viewers and a record 10.3 billion streaming minutes.
Anthony Edwards earned MVP honors as the USA Stars defeated the USA Stripes in an entertaining 2026 NBA All-Star Game in Inglewood, California.
Former President Barack Obama stole the spotlight at the NBA All-Star Game by snagging a loose ball courtside with Michelle Obama in attendance, ribbing Reggie Miller during an on-court interview about 1990s Bulls–Pacers moments, and earning a warm ovation as the Obamas were shown on the arena's video boards.
Barack and Michelle Obama drew a roaring ovation on the video board as the 75th NBA All-Star Game opened at Inglewood’s Intuit Dome, with a star-studded crowd including NBA legends, current players, and prominent entertainers highlighting the event’s crossover appeal.
Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards was named the 2026 All-Star MVP after USA Stars defeated USA Stripes 47-21 in the championship game, his first All-Star MVP and third All-Star appearance. The event featured standout moments across several matchups, including Victor Wembanyama's strong play, Kawhi Leonard's 31-point burst, and late-game clutch shots from Scottie Barnes and De’Aaron Fox, with Edwards and Tyrese Maxey leading the Stars in the decisive final game.
Damian Lillard won the 2026 State Farm NBA All-Star 3-Point Contest on his return from a torn Achilles, outlasting Devin Booker to claim his third title, with Kon Knueppel eliminated in Round 2 as Lillard surged to the win.
LeBron James was named a Western Conference reserve for the NBA All-Star Game, extending his record 22-season streak despite missing 14 games this season with a sciatic nerve issue. Chosen by coaches, the Lakers star remains the NBA’s all-time leader in All-Star appearances, minutes and points, and is averaging 21.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.6 assists in his 23rd season. It’s unclear whether he’ll participate in the game, but he spoke with humility about the recognition and his ongoing uncertainty about retirement.
LeBron James was named a reserve for the NBA All-Star game, which this season features a revamped format with two U.S. teams and one international team competing in a four-game round-robin to decide the finalists, followed by a championship game; rosters include East and West selections with James listed among the West reserves.
The NBA revealed the pool of rookies and sophomores invited to the Rising Stars Game at All-Star Weekend, led by Cooper Flagg, Stephon Castle and Kon Knueppel. Those players will be drafted by Hall of Famers Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady into three seven-player teams (plus a G-League squad) for a mini-tournament in Los Angeles, broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
The NBA named the 2026 Western Conference All-Star starters—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Victor Wembanyama, and Stephen Curry—with Anthony Edwards missing out despite a standout season. Edwards ranked high with players and media but was seventh in fan voting, and a tiebreaker favoring Wembanyama helped deny him a starting spot. Curry’s selection is viewed by some as a popularity choice. Edwards leads his team with about 29.6 PPG, elite shooting, and strong clutch numbers, including a career-high 55 points in a recent loss to the Spurs. He’s expected to be named a reserve by coaches for the fourth straight year when the Feb. 15 game at the Intuit Dome unfolds, in a format that splits into two U.S. teams and a World team.
Jennifer Hudson's NBA All-Star halftime show performance has sparked backlash online, with some criticizing her song choices and energy level. Despite the negative reaction, many fans defended the singer, highlighting her impressive career achievements and vocal talent. Hudson, who holds EGOT status, has received acclaim for her work in various entertainment fields. In addition to her halftime performance, she also participated in the 2024 Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.
Reggie Miller and Kenny Smith had a tense exchange during the NBA All-Star Saturday Night broadcast over Sabrina Ionescu's participation in a one-on-one 3-point shooting competition with Stephen Curry. Smith suggested Ionescu should have shot from the WNBA 3-point line, drawing criticism from Miller and others. The awkward exchange and Smith's remarks sparked social media criticism, including from NBA star Joel Embiid. Curry ultimately won the shootout against Ionescu.
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, in his second year, aims to be named an NBA All-Star after already securing a spot in the 2024 Rising Stars Challenge. Despite the team's recent struggles, Banchero's impressive stats and impact on winning make a strong case for his All-Star selection. He emphasizes the importance of team success and discusses his growth as a leader, the influence of playing for USA Basketball, and the valuable advice he received from NBA stars Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony.
George McGinnis, the Indiana Pacers legend and Naismith Hall of Famer, has passed away at the age of 73. McGinnis had a successful basketball career, winning two ABA championships with the Pacers and being named an ABA MVP and three-time NBA All-Star. He was known for his scoring, rebounding, and leadership abilities. McGinnis will be remembered as an Indiana basketball icon and a beloved figure in the Pacers franchise.