NBA: Anthony Edwards, youthful USA Stars prevail in new All-Star Game format

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — With youth on their side, the USA Stars outlasted all challengers to win the revamped NBA All-Star Game on Sunday.

Tyrese Maxey led the way with nine points, while Anthony Edwards added eight as the USA Stars cruised to a 47-21 championship victory over the USA Stripes.

This year’s All-Star Game featured a three-team, round-robin tournament of short 12-minute games, including Team World, made up of international stars. The format follows last year’s four-team, tournament-style bracket and reflects the league’s continued experimentation with the annual showcase.

“Yeah, I think they might not fully get it, but I like this format,” said Edwards, who was named MVP. “It makes us compete because it’s only 12 minutes and three different teams of separate guys. I think it was really good.”

Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder contributed eight points, and Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons added six as the younger USA Stars avenged an earlier 42-40 loss to the veteran USA Stripes in the round-robin stage.

“We wanted to play hard,” Maxey said. “It doesn’t matter what the format was. I came in to play defense, score when I can, bring energy, get some steals, and have fun.”

Maxey went 4-of-8 from the floor in the title game, while Edwards made 3-of-5, including two 3-pointers. Edwards finished the tournament with 32 points across three games.

“Before we walked out for the final, Cade [Cunningham] said we got to get our lick back,” Edwards said. “So we came out and stomped on them.”

For the USA Stripes, Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell scored six points and Los Angeles Lakers legend LeBron James added five. In his record 23rd NBA season, James was appearing in his 22nd All-Star Game.

The USA Stars jumped to an early 12-1 lead in the title game, with Maxey scoring seven of the points. Team Stripes briefly closed the gap to 18-9 with 7:03 remaining after consecutive 3-pointers from James and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. But a 15-0 run put the Stars firmly in control, leading 33-9 with 4:19 left.

Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard struggled in the title game, scoring just one point on 0-of-4 shooting after dominating the final round-robin game with 31 points in a 48-45 win over Team World to reach the final.

“Just having fun out there, making shots,” Leonard said. “These guys aren’t competing like it’s a regular-season game, but it’s always fun to compete with them and cherish the court time. They’re all legends, and they’re playing great basketball.”

In the opening round-robin game, USA Stars edged Team World 37-35 in overtime on a 3-pointer by Toronto Raptors’ Scottie Barnes. Despite losing both games, Team World star Victor Wembanyama earned praise for setting a competitive tone.

“Yeah, he set the tone and woke me up, for sure,” Edwards said.

The 7-foot-4 French star scored 33 points in 20 minutes across Team World’s two games.

— Doug Padilla, Field Level Media/Reuters