LOS ANGELES -- The NBA found its All-Star spark again on Sunday night at the Intuit Dome, as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards put on a dazzling performance to earn the 2026 Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP award and lead Team USA Stars to the championship in the league's bold new format.

Edwards tallied 32 points across three games in the round-robin mini-tournament, connecting on 13 of 22 shots from the field, including 6 of 15 from beyond the arc. His dominance was most evident in the championship game against Team USA Stripes, where he scored eight consecutive points to ignite a devastating 15-0 run that blew the game wide open. Edwards earned 10 of 14 possible MVP votes, leaving no doubt about who owned the night.

The new format divided All-Stars into three squads -- USA Stars, USA Stripes, and a World team -- who competed in a round-robin tournament featuring four 12-minute games. The result was a weekend that finally delivered the intensity and competitiveness fans had been craving for years. The All-Star broadcast averaged 8.8 million viewers across multiple networks, the largest All-Star audience since 2011, a clear sign that the NBA struck gold with its reimagined showcase.

The tournament opened with a thriller as Team Stars edged Team World 37-35 in overtime. San Antonio Spurs sensation Victor Wembanyama, who finished with 33 points across the tournament, drilled a three-pointer to give the World a 3-2 lead in overtime. But Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes answered with a clutch three from the left wing to steal the win for the Stars. Team Stripes then defeated Team World 48-45 in another tight contest, setting up an all-American championship final.

The title game, however, was a mismatch from the opening tip. Team Stars erupted with a 12-1 opening burst and never looked back. Team Stripes shot a miserable 8-for-31 from the field as the Stars cruised to a 47-21 victory, punctuated by Edwards' electric scoring bursts that had the Intuit Dome crowd on its feet.

All-Star Saturday Night delivered its own share of memorable moments. Damian Lillard captured his third career Three-Point Contest title, posting 29 points in the final round to edge Phoenix Suns sharpshooter Devin Booker, who finished with 27. Lillard's victory was especially remarkable considering he suffered a torn Achilles tendon less than nine months earlier while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. His three titles now tie the legendary Larry Bird and Craig Hodges for the most in contest history.

In the Slam Dunk Contest, Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson brought the house down, defeating Spurs rookie Carter Bryant in a head-to-head final format. Johnson's highlight-reel sequence, which included a through-the-legs reverse dunk, secured him the title and had social media buzzing well into the night.

LeBron James, who participated in the weekend festivities, had high praise for Edwards afterward, declaring himself a fan of the young Wolves star for life. At 24 years old, Edwards is rapidly cementing himself as the face of the next generation of NBA superstars, and Sunday night in Los Angeles may have been the moment that transition became official.

With the All-Star break now in the rearview mirror, teams return to regular-season action this week with the playoff race heating up across both conferences.