NBA All-Star Weekend Recap

Published: February 23, 2026

All-Star weekend is one of the most anticipated weekends in American sports. It highlights the best players over the season in the National Basketball Association. From veterans to rookies, it is only the best of the best. This weekend consists of all things basketball. From a 3-point contest to a dunk contest, a game where the rookies can shine, and even a series of tournament-style games that end with one ultimate champion. If you weren’t able to catch these events on February 13th-15th, I’m here to break it down for you. 

State Farm 3-Point Contest:

The NBA 3-Point Contest is a popular All-Star Saturday event where elite shooters compete to make the highest number of 3-point shots within 70 seconds from five stations along the arc. Participants shoot 27 balls—including “money balls” (2 points) and deep “Starry” balls (3 points)—aiming for the highest total score, with top scorers advancing through two rounds. Whichever of the contestants can score the most points in the allotted time wins. 

The 2026 contestants were: Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets), Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers), Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers), Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets), Bobby Portis Jr. (Milwaukee Bucks), and Norman Powell (Miami Heat). 

After many grand performances by all of these players around the arch, it was just between Devin Booker and Damian Lillard to see who would be crowned the champion. Booker ended with a 27 out of 40 points to be named the runner-up, and the 3-point contest champion was Damian Lillard with a score of 29 out of 40 points made in 70 seconds. 

This is Lillard’s 3rd time winning the 3-point contest. He won back-to-back in 2023 and 2024, and then came away with the 2026 win. He is one of three players ever to win three times. The other two players were Larry Bird (Boston Celtics) and Craig Hodges (Chicago Bulls). 

KIA Shooting Stars:

The NBA Shooting Stars competition is a timed, two-round All-Star Saturday event featuring four teams of three players—typically two current NBA players and one legend—competing to make shots from seven increasingly difficult, designated locations on the court in under 70 seconds. Returning in 2026 after an 11-year hiatus, the competition emphasizes precision and teamwork.

Four teams were competing for the title. Team All-Star (Scottie Barnes, Chet Holmgren, and legend Richard Hamilton), Team Knicks (Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and legend Allan Houston), Team Cameron (Jalen Johnson, Kon Knueppel, and legend Corey Maggette), and finally Team Harper featuring a two-brother and father duo (Dylan Harper, Ron Harper Jr., and legend Ron Harper Sr.)

The team that claimed the title was Team Knicks. They scored 47 points in 70 seconds, outpacing Team Cameron, who ended with 38 points. Therefore, Team Knicks was awarded the title of the 2026 KIA Shooting Stars Champions after 11 years of not being a part of the All-Star weekend experience. 

AT&T Slam Dunk Contest: 

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest is an annual All-Star Saturday night competition featuring four elite dunkers, often rookies or rising stars, executing creative dunks evaluated by judges for flair, power, and creativity. It features two rounds where participants have 90 seconds and three attempts per dunk to score between 40 and 50 points, with the top two advancing to a final showdown.

The 2026 Slam Dunk Contest participants were: Carter Bryant (San Antonio Spurs), Jaxson Hayes (Los Angeles Lakers), Keshad Johnson (Miami Heat), and Jase Richardson (Orlando Magic). 

Mac McClung is known for dominating this event. McClung won three consecutive years in a row (2023,2024, and 2025). He decided this year to take a step back and let someone else have a chance at winning. 

After a showcase of absurd leaps and athleticism, Keshad Johnson rose to the top. Johnson won the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, defeating San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant with a final round score of 97.4 to 93.6 out of 100. Johnson secured the victory with high-energy, creative dunks, including jumping over rapper E-40 and a between-the-legs reverse slam, earning a 49.6 in his final dunk.

Rising Stars:

The 2026 NBA Rising Stars game is a three-game mini-tournament held during All-Star Weekend, featuring 21 top rookies, sophomores, and G League players. Teams coached by NBA legends play in a single-elimination format, with semifinal games played to 40 points and the final to 25, focusing on fast-paced competition.

Team Vince, coached by Vince Carter, won the 2026 NBA Rising Stars championship, defeating Team Melo 25-24 in a thrilling final on February 13, 2026. Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe was named MVP, leading the championship game with 6 points and sealing the victory with two crucial free throws. Edgecombe was able to draw up a foul and sink both of his foul shots to secure the victory for Team Vince.

All-Star Game:

The All-Star game is the most anticipated event during All-Star weekend. It features veterans and young players who get to exhibit exactly why they are an All-Star. This year, the All-Star game was framed in a tournament-style experience. In previous years, it was just one game with two teams. But this year, three teams played each other two games, and whoever had the best record after their two games would advance to the championship.

The three teams were Team World (only foreign players), Team Stars (young players), and Team Stripes (Veterans). Overall, the World team had players who are known for their stellar NBA seasons. So, it was anticipated that they would give the USA teams a run for their money. But with a shocking surprise, Team World went 0-2 in their two tournament games and were whipped out. Meaning Team Stars with a 1-1 record, and Team Stripes with a 2-0 record, advanced to the championship. 

A couple of highlights in the tournament games were the two buzzer-beater winning shots. The first one was by Scottie Barnes on Team Stars in Game 1 vs Team World. The second was by De’Aaron Fox, with a buzzer-beating 3-point shot to clinch the win for Team Stripes over Team Stars. 

Heading into the championship game between Stars and Stripes, everyone was expecting the veterans to blowout the young players. But in a shocking turn of events, it was quite the opposite. The young players showed the veterans right where the elderly home was in the paint. They absolutely destroyed the competition with no chance of them coming back to beat them.

Team Stars won the 2026 All-Star Game with ease. The ending score was 47-21, and Anthony Edwards was crowned the MVP. Edwards and Maxey combined for 17 points and ultimately led their team to a reigning victory over the veterans on Team Stripes.