All-Star Game – Leonard dazzles with 31 points in a single quarter; Rising Stars team dominates Stars team to claim the championship

On February 16th, Beijing time, the 25-26 NBA All-Star Weekend main game was held in Los Angeles. During the round-robin, the USA Rising Stars won 37-35 over the World team in overtime, the USA Stars beat the USA Rising Stars 42-40, and the USA Stars narrowly defeated the World team 48-45. In the final, the USA Rising Stars overwhelmed the USA Stars 47-21 to take the title.

Format Introduction

This year's All-Star Game adopted a new format, forming two USA teams (USA Rising Stars and USA Stars) and one World team. The three teams played a single round-robin within the group, each match lasting 12 minutes. The top two teams with the best records advanced to the final to compete for the All-Star championship.

All-Star Game Teams and Rosters

USA Rising Stars: Barnes (Raptors), Booker (Suns), Edwards (Timberwolves), Holmgren (Thunder), Jalen Johnson (Hawks), Maxey (76ers), Duren (Pistons), Cunningham (Pistons)

USA Stars: Durant (Rockets), James (Lakers), Mitchell (Cavaliers), Leonard (Clippers), Jalen Brown (Celtics), Ingram (Raptors), Brunson (Knicks), Fox (Spurs)

World Team: Jokic (Nuggets), Doncic (Lakers), Siakam (Pacers), Towns (Knicks), Wembanyama (Spurs), Murray (Nuggets), Sengun (Rockets), Avdija (Trail Blazers), Powell (Heat)

Game Progress

Round-robin: USA Rising Stars 37-35 World Team

At the start, Wembanyama led the charge showcasing his versatile offense, while Edwards quickly responded with three consecutive three-pointers to put the USA Rising Stars ahead. Then, Towns took over for the World team, scoring through free throws and threes to lead a 14-2 run, building a 9-point lead. Cunningham and Jalen Johnson countered with fast breaks, sparking a scoring run that closed the gap. Near the end of the quarter, Edwards hit a three to tie the game at 32-32, sending it into overtime. In overtime, Barnes nailed a decisive three-pointer, helping the USA Rising Stars secure a close 37-35 victory over the World team.

USA Rising Stars starting lineup: Edwards, Maxey, Duren, Booker, Cunningham;

World Team starting lineup: Doncic, Wembanyama, Jokic, Murray, Avdija;

Stats: Wembanyama 14 points 6 rebounds, Towns 10 points, Avdija 5 points 2 assists, Siakam 4 points, Doncic 2 points 2 assists, Edwards 13 points 2 rebounds, Booker 5 points 4 assists, Cunningham 4 points 3 rebounds 3 steals, Maxey 4 points 3 rebounds 2 assists, Jalen Johnson 4 points, Barnes 3 points 5 rebounds 2 assists, Duren 2 points 4 rebounds 3 assists, Holmgren 2 points;

Round-robin: USA Stars 42-40 USA Rising Stars

At the beginning, Durant hit a three-pointer showing good rhythm, while the Pistons duo scored alternately. James and Leonard then hit back-to-back threes to stabilize the Stars. Later, the USA Stars went on a scoring run, but the Rising Stars quickly responded with Cunningham hitting a three to keep it close. At the end of the quarter, Mitchell and James combined for three consecutive threes, but Edwards answered with a three-pointer to give the Rising Stars a 40-39 lead. In the final seconds, Fox hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to clinch a 42-40 win for the USA Stars over the Rising Stars.

USA Rising Stars starting lineup: Edwards, Maxey, Duren, Booker, Cunningham;

USA Stars starting lineup: James, Durant, Leonard, Jalen Brown, Brunson;

Stats: Edwards 11 points 3 rebounds, Cunningham 11 points 3 rebounds 4 assists, Duren 7 points 3 rebounds, Jalen Johnson 5 points, Booker 2 points 5 rebounds 2 assists, Maxey 2 points, Barnes 2 points, Jalen Brown 11 points 3 rebounds, James 8 points, Leonard 5 points 5 rebounds 2 assists 2 steals, Durant 5 points 3 steals, Fox 5 points, Brunson 2 points, Mitchell 6 points 3 assists;

Round-robin: USA Stars 48-45 World Team

At tip-off, Leonard was perfect from the field, scoring 8 points on 3-for-3 shooting to lead the USA Stars offense. The World team, led by Wembanyama and Murray, responded with strong shooting, with Murray impressively scoring on a step-back jumper and a three-pointer. Leonard continued his hot streak, hitting three consecutive threes and a fadeaway jumper, totaling 11 points to help the Stars take the lead. Playing at home, Leonard was flawless, shooting 7-for-7 including 5-for-5 from beyond the arc, racking up 19 points as the crowd chanted MVP. Leonard kept scoring, but Wembanyama took over for the World team, leading a comeback to regain the lead. Leonard completed a and-1 play to tie the game again. In the closing moments, James dunked emphatically, and Wembanyama tied it with free throws. In the final seconds, Leonard hit a clutch three-pointer over Towns to give the Stars a 48-45 lead. The World team’s last attempt in the final 3.5 seconds failed. Ultimately, the USA Stars narrowly defeated the World team 48-45, with Leonard scoring 31 points. The World team finished the round-robin winless, missing the final.

USA Stars starting lineup: James, Durant, Leonard, Jalen Brown, Brunson;

World Team starting lineup: Wembanyama, Siakam, Avdija, Towns, Murray;

Stats: Leonard 31 points 3 rebounds 2 steals, Brunson 8 points, Durant 7 points, James 2 points 2 rebounds 4 assists, Wembanyama 19 points, Murray 8 points 2 rebounds 4 assists, Siakam 6 points, Towns 6 points, Powell 5 points, Sengun 1 point;

Final: USA Rising Stars 47-21 USA Stars

From the start, the USA Rising Stars entered the game quicker, with Maxey and Booker hitting consecutive threes to spark a 12-1 run. James stopped the bleeding with a dunk in transition and a three-pointer, but Duren scored consecutive dunks and Edwards contributed both outside shots and drives, extending the lead to 17 points. The Rising Stars continued to score through threes and drives, pushing the lead to 24 points. With a large deficit and little time left, the USA Stars were unable to mount a comeback. Ultimately, the USA Rising Stars won decisively over the USA Stars to claim this season’s All-Star Game title.

USA Rising Stars starting lineup: Edwards, Maxey, Duren, Booker, Cunningham;

USA Stars starting lineup: James, Durant, Leonard, Jalen Brown, Brunson;