2026 NBA All-Star Game Kicks Off New Tournament Format

Expert picks and predictions for the USA vs. World mini-tournament

Feb. 15, 2026 at 6:47pm

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The 2026 NBA All-Star Game will feature a new format this year, with a round-robin tournament between three teams: USA Stars, USA Stripes, and Team World. The teams will compete in four 12-minute games, with the top two teams by record advancing to the championship game. SportsLine's Mike Barner, who is on a 40-17 NBA betting run, has revealed his picks and predictions for the event.

Why it matters

The new tournament format aims to add more excitement and competitiveness to the NBA All-Star Game, which has sometimes been criticized for lacking intensity. Barner's expert analysis and betting picks provide valuable insights for fans looking to wager on the outcome.

The details

In the round-robin tournament, USA Stars will play Team World in Game 1, followed by USA Stripes taking on USA Stars in Game 2, and USA Stripes meeting Team World in Game 3. Team World is the 2.5-point favorite over USA Stars in Game 1, while USA Stripes is a 2.5-point favorite over USA Stars in Game 2. Team World is the 1.5-point favorite over USA Stripes in Game 3. After Game 3, the top two teams by record will advance to the championship game. If all three teams have a 1-1 record, the tiebreaker will be point differential in each team's two round-robin games.

  • The 2026 NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
  • Game 1 (USA Stars vs. Team World) tips off at 5 p.m. ET.
  • Game 2 (USA Stripes vs. USA Stars) tips off at 5:35 p.m. ET.
  • Game 3 (USA Stripes vs. Team World) tips off at 6:10 p.m. ET.
  • The championship game will follow the round-robin tournament.

The players

Jaylen Brown

Boston Celtics forward, averaging 29.3 points per game this season and one of the top scorers in the NBA.

Kevin Durant

Brooklyn Nets forward, known for his elite scoring ability and tailor-made for the All-Star Game format.

Donovan Mitchell

Cleveland Cavaliers guard, averaging 29 points per game this season and another top scorer in the league.

Kawhi Leonard

Los Angeles Clippers forward, ranked 8th in the NBA in scoring at 27.9 points per game.

Jalen Brunson

New York Knicks guard, ranked 10th in the NBA in scoring at 27 points per game.

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What they’re saying

“USA Stripes has four of the top-10 scorers in the NBA this season, led by Brown, which does not bode well for their chances against the more balanced Team World roster.”

— Mike Barner, SportsLine NBA Expert

What’s next

After the round-robin tournament, the top two teams will advance to the championship game to determine the winner of the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.

The takeaway

The new tournament format for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game promises an exciting and competitive event, with expert analysis from Mike Barner providing valuable insights for fans looking to wager on the outcome.