The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend officially began with a high-energy showdown at the Kia Forum, where Team Giannis emerged victorious with a 65-58 win over Team Anthony.

The night was a personal triumph for actor Rome Flynn, who etched his name into the record books by winning the MVP award for the second consecutive year.

Flynn, known for his roles in “How to Get Away with Murder” and “Chicago Fire,” led the charge with 17 points, showing poise that few celebrities possess on the hardwood.

The game was filled with experimental rules, most notably an 8-point shot converted by NBA legend Jeremy Lin during a “Double-Time” scoring period.

Lin credited the team’s strategic success to coach Giannis Antetokounmpo’s assistant, Dodgers star Mookie Betts, stating, “He definitely knows a lot about basketball,” following Betts’ motivational halftime speech.

While Flynn took the trophy, 7’6 centre Tacko Fall was arguably the most dominant presence, racking up 20 points and 21 rebounds for Team Giannis.

Despite the loss, Team Anthony kept the pressure on through NFL standout Keenan Allen, who contributed 18 points.

Throughout the night, Flynn remained humble about his individual accolades, telling reporters, “I’m a team player,” even as fans cheered his second straight MVP nod.

The event also featured a historic halftime set by the K-pop group CORTIS, marking a global shift for the annual exhibition.