Who won All-Star Game MVP in 2026? Anthony Edwards captures prize after leading USA Stars to win in new NBA format originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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.
MORE: Barack Obama discusses NBA's growth in All-Star Game interview
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.
MORE: Everything to know about Brandy, the national anthem singer at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
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 |