Team Stars prevails in competitive debut for new All-Star Game

Inglewood, California– minnesota timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards Two factors were credited for the improved NBA All-Star Game on Sunday: the change in format and Victor Wembanyamaaccuse of.

Edwards’ MVP performance – 32 points on 13-22 shooting, with nine rebounds and three assists to lead the way kawhi leonardThose who had bid strongly for the prize in their home region – also did not suffer any loss.

“[Wembanyama] “Set the tone, and it was definitely competitive with all three teams,” Edwards said. “That set the tone, man. And it definitely woke me up.”

Instead of the traditional Eastern Conference versus Western Conference rosters for the league’s February celebration, players were divided into three groups: Team Stars, which included young American standouts such as Edwards; Team Stripes, made up of experienced American talent; And a World Team, filled with players from around the world.

Instead of four quarters, the event consisted of a round-robin tournament consisting of four 12-minute games involving three teams.

San Antonio Spurs‘ The big man led the World Team with 14 points, six rebounds and three blocks in the first game — a 2 p.m. PT tipoff because the NBA’s new broadcast partner, NBC, kept it as a lead-in for Winter Olympics coverage — and Edwards kept pace with 13 points, including the tying 3 to force overtime. In the extra session – which ended with the first team to score five points — Toronto Raptors Ahead Scotty Barnes Hit the winning 3-pointer to give Team Stars a 37–35 win.

Barnes’ 3 forced Wembanyama to walk back to the bench in disbelief at his team’s failing defensive execution, the same way he would if it were his Spurs who faltered in the regular season.

“It’s a game we love – it’s a game I personally cherish – so staying competitive is the least I can do,” Vembanyama said.

The second game was also tight, with Team Stripes outscoring Team Stars by 3 on a Spurs guard in the final seconds De’Aaron Fox Have to win 42-40.

And the third game belonged to Leonard, much to the delight of Clippers fans in attendance at the Intuit Dome.

LA Clippers The forward scored 31 points on 11-for-13 shooting (6-7 from 3) with three rebounds and two steals in 12 minutes to lead Team Stripes to a 48-45 win over Team World despite 19 points from Wembanyama.

“It was great; glad Adam [Silver] Let me in,” Leonard said, referring to the NBA commissioner inserting him into the game as an injury replacement. “That’s what the home crowd wanted to see. I’m glad I was able to do something in that game.”

Seeing this his friends were also happy.

“We were looking at it… like, ‘Hey, this guy is hitting,'” Barnes said of Leonard. “We were absolutely amazed. Shocked even. When someone works like this, it’s special. That’s what people want to see.”

Edwards said: “I told [Leonard] When we came out for the last game, I said, ‘Hey, you need to rest.'”

The final game between Team Stars and Team Stripes was a thriller, with the Young Americans winning 47–21.

In the finals, Edwards had eight points on 3-for-5 shooting, and Leonard had one point on 0-for-4 shooting, going 1-for-2 from the free throw line.

Edwards received 10 out of 14 votes for MVP from a panel of media and fan voting.

“I think it was definitely a step up in the competitive department compared to last season.” Houston Rockets Ahead Kevin Durant Said. “Kawhi was great. Ant was great. I think we did what we needed to do for the fans.”

Edwards, the 24-year-old former No. 1 player who is known for his personality as well as his great play, said he enjoyed defeating Team Stripes to end the day more than defeating the World Team to start the day.

Why?

“Because they say he’s the best player in the world,” Edwards said. “So to beat them is the best feeling in the world.”

Edwards said he would support using the same format for next year’s All-Star Game in Phoenix.

“I think it makes us compete because it’s only 12 minutes [games]And having three different teams separate people,” Edwards said. “I think it was really cool.”

Leonard said that now that players have proven they can focus more on the game, it will be OK to return to traditional teams.

“I still think it would be great to go back to East-West – I think guys will still compete,” Leonard said. “But it’s like, whatever grabs the consumer’s attention, I’m all for it.”