NBA Champion Praises New All-Star Game Format

Kendrick Perkins believes the league found the right solution to fix the NBA All-Star Game.

Feb. 17, 2026 at 2:39am

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The NBA introduced a new USA vs World format for the 2026 All-Star Game, and former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins believes the league found the right solution to fix the event. Perkins praised the increased competitiveness, with players like Victor Wembanyama and Kawhi Leonard leading the charge. The new format was well-received by fans, and the league plans to continue the USA vs World format for future All-Star Games.

Why it matters

The NBA All-Star Game had been criticized in recent years for a lack of competitiveness, with players not playing much defense. The league's decision to change the format to a USA vs World competition has helped restore the game's intensity and excitement, appealing more to fans who want to see the league's best players compete at a high level.

The details

The 2026 NBA All-Star Game featured a new format where the All-Stars were split into three teams - USA Stars, USA Stripes, and Team World. Each squad competed against the others in a 12-minute game, with the winning teams facing off in the final. The USA Stars defeated the USA Stripes to win the game, with Anthony Edwards taking home the MVP award. Kendrick Perkins praised the increased competitiveness, singling out Victor Wembanyama and Kawhi Leonard for their standout performances. Wembanyama set the tone with his energy and effort, while Leonard delivered a 31-point game in front of his home fans with the Los Angeles Clippers.

  • The 2026 NBA All-Star Game took place in Los Angeles.
  • The new USA vs World format was introduced for the 2026 All-Star Game.

The players

Kendrick Perkins

An ESPN analyst and former 14-year NBA veteran.

Victor Wembanyama

A San Antonio Spurs superstar who set the tone for the increased competitiveness in the 2026 All-Star Game.

Anthony Edwards

The Minnesota Timberwolves superstar who was named the 2026 NBA All-Star Game MVP.

Kawhi Leonard

The Los Angeles Clippers superstar who delivered a standout 31-point performance in the 2026 All-Star Game.

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What they’re saying

“You d**n right they did ... This is about the fans. As soon as the All-Star Game was over, I looked on social media because I wanted to get their reactions. No one had a d**m thing to say about it because guys were competing.”

— Kendrick Perkins, ESPN Analyst and NBA Champion

“Exclamation-point plays, playing in a solid manner and sharing the ball with energy ... If you share that energy, people feel like they have a responsibility to share it back to you.”

— Victor Wembanyama

“Wemby set the tone. He came out playing hard, and we had to follow that.”

— Anthony Edwards

“When you can get an All-Star Game where Kawhi Leonard is competing and playing at his highest level, you know you're doing something.”

— Kendrick Perkins, ESPN Analyst and NBA Champion

What’s next

The Phoenix Suns will host the 2027 NBA All-Star Weekend, where the league plans to continue the USA vs World format to celebrate the league's best talents competing on the same floor.

The takeaway

The NBA's decision to implement a new USA vs World format for the 2026 All-Star Game has been praised as a success, with players competing at a high level and fans responding positively. The increased intensity and competitiveness have revived interest in the event, setting the stage for future All-Star Games to continue this format.