The young guns showed out during the 2026 NBA All-Star Game. It was only right the flag-bearer for the next generation of U.S. basketball — Anthony Edwards — earned the plaudits.
Edwards captured his first-ever All-Star Game MVP after leading the USA Stars to victory in the All-Star mini-tournament.
The 24-year-old has largely recoiled at the thought of being considered the face in the league. But he showed out against the league's finest talents, embracing the challenge of battling against the likes of Victor Wembanyama, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard.
Anthony Edwards wins the Kobe Bryant All-Star Game MVP award 👏 pic.twitter.com/KyedWwZRei
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) February 16, 2026
Here's what you need to know.
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Who won All-Star Game MVP in 2026?
Edwards took home All-Star Game MVP honors after erupting for eight points against the Stars in the All-Star Game championship game.
Edwards was the Stripes' best player in their opening matchup against the Stars, tallying 11 points, four assists and three rebounds as the J.B. Bickerstaff-helmed side inched beyond the other U.S. side. All told, he tallied 32 points, nine rebounds and three assists in his three games across the mini-tourney.
He put forth a similar outing in Game 2, producing points in bunches against the likes of James, Leonard and Durant.
The prize briefly looked like it was Leonard's to lose. The Clippers standout erupted for 31 points — including a game-winning three — to put Team World away in the semifinals.
However, Leonard only collected one point in the final as the Stripes fell by more than 20 points to their countrymen.
With his accolade, Edwards becomes the second Timberwolves player to win All-Star Game MVP, joining Kevin Garnett in 2003.
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NBA All-Star Game MVP winners
Year Player Team
2026 Anthony Edwards Minnesota Timberwolves
2025 Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors
2024 Damian Lillard Milwaukee Bucks
2023 Jayson Tatum Boston Celtics
2022 Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors
2021 Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks
2020 Kawhi Leonard LA Clippers
2019 Kevin Durant Golden State Warriors
2018 LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers
2017 Anthony Davis New Orleans Pelicans
2016 Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder
2015 Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder
2014 Kyrie Irving Cleveland Cavaliers
2013 Chris Paul LA Clippers
2012 Kevin Durant Oklahoma City Thunder
2011 Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers
2010 Dwyane Wade Miami Heat
2009 Shaquille O'Neal (Co-MVP) Phoenix Suns
2009 Kobe Bryant (Co-MVP) Los Angeles Lakers
2008 LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers
2007 Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers
2006 LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers
2005 Allen Iverson Philadelphia 76ers
2004 Shaquille O'Neal Los Angeles Lakers
2003 Kevin Garnett Minnesota Timberwolves
2002 Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers
2001 Allen Iverson Philadelphia 76ers
2000 Shaquille O'Neal (Co-MVP) Los Angeles Lakers
2000 Tim Duncan (Co-MVP) San Antonio Spurs
1999 No game was played
1998 Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls
1997 Glen Rice Charlotte Hornets
1996 Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls
1995 Mitch Richmond Sacramento Kings
1994 Scottie Pippen Chicago Bulls
1993 Karl Malone (Co-MVP) Utah Jazz
1993 John Stockton (Co-MVP) Utah Jazz
1992 Magic Johnson Los Angeles Lakers
1991 Charles Barkley Philadelphia 76ers
1990 Magic Johnson Los Angeles Lakers
1989 Karl Malone Utah Jazz
1988 Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls
1987 Tom Chambers Seattle SuperSonics
1986 Isiah Thomas Detroit Pistons
1985 Ralph Sampson Houston Rockets
1984 Isiah Thomas Detroit Pistons
1983 Julius Erving Philadelphia 76ers
1982 Larry Bird Boston Celtics
1981 Tiny Archibald Boston Celtics
1980 George Gervin San Antonio Spurs
1979 David Thompson Denver Nuggets
1978 Randy Smith Buffalo Braves
1977 Julius Erving Philadelphia 76ers
1976 Dave Bing Washington Bullets
1975 Walt Frazier New York Knicks
1974 Bob Lanier Detroit Pistons
1973 Dave Cowens Boston Celtics
1972 Jerry West Los Angeles Lakers
1971 Lenny Wilkens Seattle SuperSonics
1970 Willis Reed New York Knicks
1969 Oscar Robertson Cincinnati Royals
1968 Hal Greer Philadelphia 76ers
1967 Rick Barry San Francisco Warriors
1966 Adrian Smith Cincinnati Royals
1965 Jerry Lucas Cincinnati Royals
1964 Oscar Robertson Cincinnati Royals
1963 Bill Russell Boston Celtics
1962 Bob Pettit St. Louis Hawks
1961 Oscar Robertson Cincinnati Royals
1960 Wilt Chamberlain Philadelphia Warriors
1959 Elgin Baylor (Co-MVP) Minneapolis Lakers
1959 Bob Pettit (Co-MVP) St. Louis Hawks
1958 Bob Pettit St. Louis Hawks
1957 Bob Cousy Boston Celtics
1956 Bob Pettit St. Louis Hawks
1955 Bill Sharman Boston Celtics
1954 Bob Cousy Boston Celtics
1953 George Mikan Minneapolis Lakers
1952 Paul Arizin Philadelphia Warriors
1951 Ed Macauley Boston Celtics