INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The opening night time of the 2026 NBA All-Star weekend is within the books. Crew Vince, coached by Vince Carter, defeated Crew Melo, coached by Carmelo Anthony, within the NBA Rising Star Problem title recreation behind a standout efficiency from VJ Edgecombe. The 76ers star guard was named MVP of the occasion.
This marked the fifth consecutive 12 months that the highest rookies, sophomores and G League gamers had been cut up into completely different groups through the four-team occasion. The primary crew to 40 factors within the semifinals superior to the title recreation, whereas the primary to 25 factors captured the championship.
Edgecombe scored the game-winning free throw to provide Crew Vince bragging rights. Crew Melo superior to the title recreation after Dylan Harper, the No. 2 general choose from the 2025 NBA Draft, knocked down a mid-range jumper over older brother, Ron Harper Jr.
Edgecombe scored essentially the most factors of any participant within the semifinals. He completed with 17 factors and 6 rebounds throughout Crew Vince’s win over Crew T-Mac, coached by Tracy McGrady. Egdecombe, the No. 3 general choose in final 12 months’s draft, has been one of many greatest stars amongst all first-year gamers.
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Listed here are the most important winners and losers from the opening night time of NBA All-Star weekend.
Winner: Edgecombe steals the present
Edgecombe won’t be collaborating in tomorrow’s dunk contest — though he must be, and would have an excellent likelihood of profitable the occasion. Edgecombe did ball out within the Rising Stars Problem. The 76ers star scored 17 factors within the semifinals and 6 within the title recreation. Edgecombe’s play fashion as a high-flyer made him an ideal candidate to have a standout efficiency. It was applicable that he obtained the ultimate shot to ship his crew to the championship recreation.
Loser: Followers miss out on watching Flagg
Lower than 24 hours earlier than the Rising Stars Problem, Flagg was dominated out as a result of a mid-foot sprain. Flagg, the No. 1 choose from the 2025 NBA Draft, has been placing up video game-like numbers as of late. He turned the primary teenager in NBA historical past to report back-to-back 30-point double-doubles final month. He additionally scored 49 factors towards the Hornets, which was essentially the most by a young person in NBA historical past. It should not be lengthy earlier than followers get to look at play Flagg play on the ultimate day of the occasion — the precise All-Star Sport. It would not be shocking if that occurs as quickly as subsequent season.
Winner: Yang Hansen shines in opening recreation
One of many greatest stars of the primary semifinal recreation of the night time was Yang Hansen. The No. 16 general choose within the 2025 NBA Draft got here off the bench and scored 10 factors for Crew Austin that was coached by Austin Rivers. Contemplating that Hansen is averaging simply 7.5 minutes per recreation in his rookie season with Portland, this was the form of efficiency that he may construct upon within the the rest of the season.
Loser: Ron Harper Jr. offers up game-winner to youthful brother
One of many prime storylines of the primary recreation of the night between Crew Melo and Crew Austin was the battle between the Harper brothers. Ron Harper Jr., on the Maine Celtics, needed to guard his child brother, Dylan Harper of the San Antonio Spurs, on what can be the ultimate possession of the sport. The youthful brother will probably be incomes bragging rights in his family, as Dylan knocked down a go-ahead jumper to ship Crew Melo to the title recreation.
Winner: The format works
The four-team Rising Stars format ought to keep a fixture of All-Star weekend. Positive, a number of elements of NBA All-Star want an overhaul, however all three video games Friday night time had been aggressive, enjoyable and had star energy. That is precisely what you want in an occasion like this. Edgecombe mentioned it finest when getting interviewed by an in-arena reporter. He mentioned he needed to win the occasion. Clearly, Edgecombe and others took delight on this recreation. It was refreshing to look at.
Loser: Title recreation ends in not-so-dramatic vogue
Whereas the Rising Stars title recreation was filled with leisure, the ending was not so dramatic. On the ultimate offensive possession, Edgecombe obtained fouled attempting to attain on the rim. Edgecombe proceeded to knock down each free throws to provide his crew a 25-24 win. You hate to see a recreation as aggressive as that one finish with out somebody scoring a area objective.
