NBA All-Star Weekend Delivers Memorable Moments

From Lillard's 3-point triumph to Durant's burner account drama, the 2026 NBA All-Star festivities were full of surprises.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The 75th NBA All-Star Weekend was a mix of the familiar and the unexpected, with aging stars like Damian Lillard shining, the dunk contest falling flat, and a burner account leak adding intrigue. Meanwhile, the league's next generation, led by Victor Wembanyama, set the tone for the future of the sport.

Why it matters

The NBA All-Star Weekend serves as a snapshot of the league's current state, with the transition between eras playing out on full display. The weekend's events highlighted the changing of the guard, as well as the league's ability to embrace the absurd and unexpected.

The details

Damian Lillard, who had not played in an NBA game all season, stunned the crowd by winning the 3-point contest, channeling the legendary Craig Hodges. The dunk contest, however, failed to live up to past classics, leading to calls for the event to be moved to a less prominent timeslot. The skills challenge, a fan favorite, was notably absent from the weekend's lineup, sparking discussions about reviving the event to showcase the league's elite talent. Kawhi Leonard's inclusion in the All-Star game, despite his injury history, was praised as the right move by commissioner Adam Silver. And a leaked direct message from Kevin Durant's alleged burner account became the unofficial subplot of the weekend, adding to the NBA's penchant for embracing the absurd.

  • The 75th NBA All-Star Weekend took place on February 15-17, 2026.
  • Damian Lillard won the 3-point contest on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • The dunk contest and skills challenge were held on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • The NBA All-Star game was played on Sunday, February 16, 2026.
  • The alleged Kevin Durant burner account leak occurred during the All-Star festivities on February 16-17, 2026.

The players

Damian Lillard

A veteran point guard for the Portland Trail Blazers who won the 3-point contest despite not having played in an NBA game all season.

Craig Hodges

A former NBA player who won the 3-point contest three times, including in 1993 while wearing the NBA logo jersey.

Kawhi Leonard

A forward for the Los Angeles Clippers who was added to the All-Star roster by commissioner Adam Silver, despite his recent injury history.

Kevin Durant

A superstar forward who was at the center of a burner account leak controversy during the All-Star festivities.

Victor Wembanyama

A young French basketball prodigy who set the tone for the future of the sport with his dominant performance in the All-Star game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Damian Lillard rolled into All‑Star Weekend cold. As in 'literally hasn't checked into an NBA game this year' cold. So when he put up 27 in the first round of the 3-point contest, 29 in the second round and walked out with the 3‑Point crown, with a little help from Devin Booker, it felt like a glitch in the simulation.”

— Jonathan Simmons, Author (cleveland.com)

“While there has been no official word on whether the account was actually Durant's, the fact that he was constantly looking at his phone during the pregame festivities didn't help his case by any means.”

— Jonathan Simmons, Author (cleveland.com)

“Victor Wembanyama played like someone fully prepared to take over the next decade, and honestly, the league needs that kind of ambitious madness.”

— Jonathan Simmons, Author (cleveland.com)

What’s next

The NBA will likely look to build on the momentum of the 2026 All-Star Weekend, potentially making changes to the dunk contest format and reviving the skills challenge to better showcase the league's elite talent.

The takeaway

The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend was a fascinating snapshot of the league's transition, with aging stars like Damian Lillard still capable of magic, and the next generation, led by Victor Wembanyama, already trying to bend the sport to their will. The weekend's mix of the familiar and the unexpected, along with the embrace of the absurd, exemplified the NBA's ability to captivate audiences and keep the sport fresh and engaging.