Giannis Late to All-Star Game, Rival Coach Fires Back

Lethal Shooter calls out Antetokounmpo's tardiness, setting up heated celebrity matchup

Feb. 14, 2026 at 5:15am

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Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo arrived late to the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, prompting a stern warning from rival coach Chris "Lethal Shooter" Matthews. The exchange set the tone for a spirited contest between the coaching teams led by the Antetokounmpo brothers and Lethal Shooter's squad, with Lethal Shooter expressing competitive spirit and even wishing for Giannis to miss his rounds.

Why it matters

The incident highlights how even high-profile athletes face scrutiny and accountability, even in off-season or entertainment-focused events. Lethal Shooter's pointed remarks suggest the celebrity game will be played with a seriousness that surpasses typical celebrity matchups, potentially influencing how future such events are approached.

The details

Before the tip-off, Lethal Shooter confronted Giannis's tardiness, stating "Alright man, time to get this win. See, I'm on time. Giannis late," and adding "I'm on time for my team, so you guys stay tuned." Lethal Shooter also expressed some lighthearted ill wishes, saying "Hopefully, Giannis misses his rounds or something, and they don't have a coach." The coaches and players also compared themselves to active NBA stars, with Cody Jones likening himself to Luka Dončić and Shams Charania referring to Jannero Pargo.

  • The NBA All-Star Celebrity Game was held on February 14, 2026.

The players

Giannis Antetokounmpo

A Milwaukee Bucks superstar and one of the featured coaches in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.

Chris "Lethal Shooter" Matthews

The opposing coach in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, known for his work improving shooting skills for NBA and WNBA players.

Cody Jones

The co-founder of the sports channel Dude Perfect, who compared himself to Luka Dončić during a practice session.

Shams Charania

A premier NBA insider who compared himself to former Lakers guard Jannero Pargo during the practice session.

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What they’re saying

“Alright man, time to get this win. See, I'm on time. Giannis late.”

— Chris "Lethal Shooter" Matthews, Opposing Coach

“I'm on time for my team, so you guys stay tuned.”

— Chris "Lethal Shooter" Matthews, Opposing Coach

“Hopefully, Giannis misses his rounds or something, and they don't have a coach.”

— Chris "Lethal Shooter" Matthews, Opposing Coach

“I gotta say, it's Luka. I love cars, he loves cars, we're both the same height.”

— Cody Jones, Co-founder, Dude Perfect

What’s next

The NBA All-Star Celebrity Game is scheduled to take place on February 14, 2026, where the heated rivalry between the coaching teams led by the Antetokounmpo brothers and Lethal Shooter's squad will be on full display.

The takeaway

This episode offers a glimpse of the competitive spirit that remains strong even in off-season or entertainment-focused events, suggesting that future celebrity games may be approached with more seriousness and accountability from the participants.