Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

By Joel Reyes

USA Stars drew first blood in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, defeating Team World 37-35 on Monday (PH time) at the Intuit Dome. Scottie Barnes sealed the victory for the Americans, knocking down the game-winning 3-pointer to hand USA Stars the come-from-behind win.

 

 

Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

 

The opening quarter delivered fireworks from the jump. Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards traded highlight plays, while Karl-Anthony Towns and Pascal Siakam powered a 14-2 surge to give Team World a nine-point cushion. USA Stars answered with a 10-2 run of their own, tightening the contest late.

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With 28.4 seconds left in regulation, Wembanyama calmly knocked down two free throws to give Team World a three-point lead. On the final possession, Edwards drilled a clutch step-back triple to tie it at 32 and force overtime.

In OT, Edwards struck first with a mid-range jumper before Wembanyama responded from deep. Then came the dagger — Barnes burying the game-winning trey to seal the win for USA Stars.

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Edwards led the victors with 13 points. Wembanyama tallied 14 points and six rebounds in defeat, while Towns added 10.

USA Stars will see action again in Game 2 to face USA Stripes — headlined by LeBron James and Kevin Durant.