Good game, bad dunk contest. The highs and lows of an eventful NBA All-Star weekend
Good game, bad dunk contest. The highs and lows of an eventful NBA All-Star weekend
If the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend at the Intuit Dome proved anything, it’s that the league’s midseason classic is currently a tale of two distinct realities. Saturday night felt like a eulogy for a dying tradition, while Sunday offered a vibrant, competitive glimpse into the league’s future. The result was a weekend defined by whiplash, oscillating between cringe-worthy lows and electrifying highs.
The undeniable low point arrived on Saturday night. The Slam Dunk Contest, once the crown jewel of the festivities, hit rock bottom. While Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson took home the trophy, the event was marred by a lack of star power and an abundance of missed attempts. The final round saw San Antonio rookie Carter Bryant fail to complete his dunk, ending the night on a deflating note that left the Los Angeles crowd silent. The spectacle lacked the theater of the past, reinforcing the narrative that the league’s best athletes have abandoned the competition entirely.
However, just as the obituaries for All-Star Weekend were being drafted, Sunday’s game provided a miraculous resurrection. The new three-team tournament format—pitting USA Stars, USA Stripes, and Team World against one another—actually worked. The players cared, the defense was real, and the intensity was palpable.
Anthony Edwards was the catalyst for this turnaround. The Minnesota Timberwolves superstar claimed the Kobe Bryant MVP Award, leading the USA Stars to victory with a relentless energy that set the tone for the young roster. Edwards didn't just score; he locked down opponents and treated the exhibition like a playoff game.
The weekend also offered a poetic passing of the torch. While the young "Stars" ultimately blew out the veteran "Stripes" 47-21 in the final, the old guard had one last moment in the sun. Kawhi Leonard exploded for 31 points in a single 12-minute mini-game, and Damian Lillard—despite missing the season with an Achilles injury—shocked the world by winning the 3-Point Contest.
Ultimately, the NBA fixed the game, but the Saturday night spectacle remains broken. Sunday saved the weekend, but the league has work to do before Phoenix in 2027.
If the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend at the Intuit Dome proved anything, it’s that the league’s midseason classic is currently a tale of two distinct realities. Saturday night felt like a eulogy for a dying tradition, while Sunday offered a vibrant, competitive glimpse into the league’s future. The result was a weekend defined by whiplash, oscillating between cringe-worthy lows and electrifying highs.
The undeniable low point arrived on Saturday night. The Slam Dunk Contest, once the crown jewel of the festivities, hit rock bottom. While Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson took home the trophy, the event was marred by a lack of star power and an abundance of missed attempts. The final round saw San Antonio rookie Carter Bryant fail to complete his dunk, ending the night on a deflating note that left the Los Angeles crowd silent. The spectacle lacked the theater of the past, reinforcing the narrative that the league’s best athletes have abandoned the competition entirely.
However, just as the obituaries for All-Star Weekend were being drafted, Sunday’s game provided a miraculous resurrection. The new three-team tournament format—pitting USA Stars, USA Stripes, and Team World against one another—actually worked. The players cared, the defense was real, and the intensity was palpable.
Anthony Edwards was the catalyst for this turnaround. The Minnesota Timberwolves superstar claimed the Kobe Bryant MVP Award, leading the USA Stars to victory with a relentless energy that set the tone for the young roster. Edwards didn't just score; he locked down opponents and treated the exhibition like a playoff game.
The weekend also offered a poetic passing of the torch. While the young "Stars" ultimately blew out the veteran "Stripes" 47-21 in the final, the old guard had one last moment in the sun. Kawhi Leonard exploded for 31 points in a single 12-minute mini-game, and Damian Lillard—despite missing the season with an Achilles injury—shocked the world by winning the 3-Point Contest.
Ultimately, the NBA fixed the game, but the Saturday night spectacle remains broken. Sunday saved the weekend, but the league has work to do before Phoenix in 2027.
