Actor Rome Flynn selected as MVP of the All-Star Celebrity Game, with 17 points and four assists, leading Team Giannis in a 65-58 win over Team Anthony Friday evening at the Kia Forum as the NBA All-Star Weekend got underway in Inglewood.
Flynn was also the MVP of the 2025 game.
Former NBA center Tacko Fall had 20 points, 21 rebounds and five blocks for Team Giannis, which was coached by two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo along with his brothers Thanasis and Alex Antetokounmpo as well as Dodger shortstop Mookie Betts.
Former NBA star Jeremy Lin had 12 points and 15 rebounds, including an 8-point shot late in the fourth quarter for Team Giannis.
Chargers receiver Keenan Allen scored a team-high 18 points for Team Anthony coached for actor Anthony Anderson.
Philadelphia 76ers rookie shooting guard VJ Edgecombe was selected as the MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge, making two free throws to seal Team Vince’s 25-24 victory over Team Melo.
In a first-to-25 game, Team Melo had taken a 24-23 lead when Stephon Castle tipped in a Jeremiah Fears miss.
Edgecombe led Team Vince, coach by Vince Carter, with six points. San Antonio Spurs rookie guard Dylan Harper scored eight to lead Team Melo, coached by Carmelo Anthony.
Edgecombe scored 17 in Team Vince’s 41-36 semifinal victory over Team T-Mac, coached by Tracy McGrady.
Trent Middleton Jr. made two free throws with 0.4 seconds left to give NC A&T at 71-70 victory over Hampton in the HBCU Classic at the Kia Forum.
Saturday’s festivities begin at 2 p.m., featuring the 3-point contest, shooting stars and slam dunk contest, airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock.
Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers is expected to compete in the 3-point contest despite an Achilles injury that has sidelined him this season. He will face a field that includes league leader Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers, along with sharpshooters Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers and Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns.
The 3-point contest will be followed by the slam dunk contest with a field of Jaxson Hayes of the Lakers, Carter Bryant of the San Antonio Spurs, Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat and rookie Jase Richardson of the Orlando Magic.
The event will crown a new champion after three-time defending winner Mac McClung of the Chicago Bulls told ESPN he will sit out.
The 75th NBA All-Star Game is scheduled to tip off at 2 p.m. Sunday on NBC and Peacock from the Intuit Dome, featuring many of the league’s top American and international stars. Two U.S. teams and one World team will compete in a round-robin format of four 12-minute games, with the top two advancing to the championship final.