The 2026 NBA All-Star Game takes place on Sunday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, featuring a new round-robin tournament with three teams: two from the United States and one international squad. Players will compete in four 12-minute games, with the top two teams advancing to a championship matchup. This format aims to boost competitiveness by pitting American stars against global talent.
The NBA has revamped its All-Star Game format for 2026, dividing 24 selected All-Stars into three teams to highlight the league's growing international presence. Team USA Stars, coached by J.B. Bickerstaff of the Detroit Pistons, includes younger players such as Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons), Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder), Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks), and Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers). Team USA Stripes, led by Mitch Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs, features veterans like Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics), Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Kevin Durant (Houston Rockets), Brandon Ingram (Toronto Raptors, injury replacement), LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers), Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers), and Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers). Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) is out due to injury.
Team World, coached by Darko Rajaković of the Toronto Raptors, comprises international stars including Deni Avdija (Portland Trail Blazers), Luka Dončić (Los Angeles Lakers), Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets), Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets), Alperen Şengün (Houston Rockets, injury replacement), Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers), Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks), Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs), and Norman Powell (Miami Heat). Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder) are sidelined by injuries.
The tournament begins at 5 p.m. ET with USA Stars facing Team World, followed by the winner playing USA Stripes in Game 2 at 5:35 p.m. ET, and the Game 1 loser versus USA Stripes in Game 3 at 6:10 p.m. ET. The top two teams by record advance to the championship game; if all finish 1-1, point differential decides. Each game lasts 12 minutes, with overtime to a first-to-5 points target if tied. A $1.8 million prize pool awaits, with $125,000 per player on the winning team.
Betting odds list Team World as the +120 favorite to win, followed by USA Stripes (+190) and USA Stars (+220). Victor Wembanyama is the +270 MVP favorite. Experts like SportsLine's Mike Barner note Team World's size advantage, with only two players under 6-foot-8, compared to USA Stripes' lack of true centers and older average age of 32.4 years. The event airs on NBC and streams on Peacock.
