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2026 All-Star

Castrol Rising Stars, top moments, highlights and MVP

Check out the best moments of the Castrol Rising Stars tournament with everything that happened Friday night in Los Angeles.

NBA.com Staff

VJ Edgecombe took home the MVP of the Castrol Rising Stars.

Castrol Rising Stars features three teams of top NBA rookies and sophomores competing against a G League squad in a mini-tournament Friday, Feb. 13 (9 ET, Peacock) at the LA Clippers’ Intuit Dome as part of NBA All-Star 2026.

Follow along for live updates with the NBA.com live blog.

What we know about Castrol Rising Stars

12:20 p.m. ET // Feb. 14

In the presence of greatness

VJ Edgecombe briefly met Hall-of-Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar after starring on the court at Castrol Rising Stars, and the moment meant a lot to him.

12:14 p.m. ET // Feb. 14

Meet the press

VJ Edgecombe met the media and spoke about what went through his mind in the closing moments of the Castrol Rising Stars first round game.

11:21 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

Calling his shot 🎯

While accepting his trophy for the Castrol Rising Stars MVP, VJ Edgecombe revealed that he told coach Vince Carter to pick him and that they would win. It was only fitting that Edgecombe sank the game-winning free throws. Hear the Philadelphia rookie’s full comments below after making good on that promise.

11:00 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

Friday’s final scores:

10:51 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

VJ seals win at free throw line

Team Vince takes down Team Melo, 25-24, after VJ Edgecombe (6 pts, 2 reb, 1 stl) ices the victory at the charity stripe. He scores the final 4 points to give his squad the hard fought win in a back and forth contest to kickstart 2026 All-Star Weekend.

Dylan Harper finishes with a game-high 8 points with 2 3PM, along with 5 boards and one assist.

10:45 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

Finals in clutch time

Team Vince leads Team Melo 23-22 after VJ Edgecombe’s offensive rebound and finish! Timeout to Melo.

10:39 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

Buzelis gets crafty

Chicago’s Matas Buzelis has 4 points on 2-for-3 shooting to give Team Vince a 15-11 edge. Vinsanity’s squad is just 10 points away from winning the tournament.

Donovan Clingan (6 pts) and Dylan Harper (5 pts, 3 reb) pace Team Melo.

10:36 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

Championship is underway!

The Rising Stars Championship game is tied at 10 between Team Vince and Team Melo.

10:33 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

VJ’s full heroics on display

In case you missed the finish to Semifinal Game 2.

10:18 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

VJ wins it for Team Vince!

VJ Edgecombe drains a step back jumper to win it for Team Vince, 41-36, over Team T-Mac. VJ drops the last 10 points for his squad to finish with a game-high 17 points on 6-for-8 shooting.

They’ll face Team Melo in the Rising Stars Championship, coming up at 10:35 ET on Peacock!

10:14 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

Game 2 is GOOD

Team Vince catches fire to take a 37-29 lead after a 10-0 scoring run!

10:10 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

Family ties on the sidelines

It’s all love between Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady.

10:06 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

Semifinal Game 2 is tight

VJ Edgecombe has 7 points and 3 rebounds to lead Team Vince, but his squad trails Team T-Mac 24-22. First team to 40 wins and advances to the Rising Stars Championship versus Team Melo.

Miami’s Kel’el Ware is a two-way force, racking up 7 points and one block to fuel Team T-Mac.

9:55 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

Team Vince-Team T-Mac underway

Cam Spencer connects on a triple for his 3 points, while Tre Johnson and Kel’el Ware each have 5 points apiece to give Team T-Mac a 15-7 edge over Team Vince.

Matas Buzelis leads Team Vince with 3 points.

 

9:41 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

Harper wins it for Team Melo

Dylan Harper attacks his older brother Ron Harper, Jr. for the game-winner for Team Melo, with their father, Ron Harper, sitting front row and getting to see his sons on the biggest NBA stage of their careers. What a moment for the Harpers.

They got in a little brotherly banter before tip-off, too.

9:32 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

Vince’s Rising Stars

9:32 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

Austin’s Rising Stars

9:31 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

T-Mac’s Rising Stars

9:30 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

Melo’s Rising Stars

8:33 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

Rising Stars take center stage

The promising rookies and sophomores make their arrivals for the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars.

Ace Bailey of Team Melo arrives to compete in the Rising Stars Game.

Spurs stars Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle are ready to play in the Rising Stars Game.

Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel arrives ahead of the Rising Stars Game.

4:56 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

Jeremiah Fears speaks on being a rookie

The Pelicans guard has shown heart in his rookie season. He’s fifth among rookies in scoring at 13.2 ppg.

3:32 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

Kon speaks on his jumper

Knueppel, second in the NBA in made 3-pointers, will have his shot ready for Saturday’s 2026 State Farm 3-Point Contest.

2:49 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

Carmelo gives Rising Stars props

2025 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Carmelo Anthony with a powerful message for the youngsters ahead of tonight’s games.

2:30 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

Who wins this 1v1?

Portland’s Donovan Clingan versus comedian Kevin Hart? Let’s make it happen.

2:19 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

Kon ready for busy weekend in LA

Charlotte’s sharpshooting rookie Kon Knueppel currently ranks second on our Kia Rookie Ladder.

He’s the only rookie participating in the 2026 State Farm 3-Point Contest and will try to become the first rook to ever win the event.

2:03 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

Bryant to replace Coward tonight

San Antonio will now have three representatives suit up for tonight’s Castrol Rising Stars game! Carter Bryant joins Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper for the festivities.

1:21 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

Enjoying the moment with VJ

The Sixers’ rookie guard is No. 3 on the latest Kia Rookie Ladder.

11:39 a.m. ET // Feb. 13

Ron Harper Jr. in the place to be

The Celtics guard will compete in the Castrol Rising Stars tournament along with his brother, Dylan, of the San Antonio Spurs.

9:27 p.m. ET // Feb. 13

A classic Rising Stars moment

Always a good time to watch Kyrie show off the handles.

8:59 p.m. ET // Feb. 12

Matas Buzelis is a natural

2:57 p.m. ET // Feb. 12

Miami’s Jahmir Young to replace Mac McClung in 2026 Castrol Rising Stars

The Miami guard replaces McClung, who is unable to participate because of a calf injury. Read more

Jahmir Young - Rising Stars

6:29 p.m ET / Feb. 10

Hawks’ Zaccharie Risacher replaces Thunder’s Ajay Mitchell in 2026 Castrol Rising Stars

The 2024 No. 1 overall pick replaces injured OKC guard Ajay Mitchell on Team T-Mac. Read more

Zach Risacher is added to the Rising Stars roster

8:33 p.m. ET / Feb. 7

Chicago’s McClung to replace San Antonio’s Jones Garcia in 2026 Castrol Rising Stars

Chicago Bulls guard Mac McClung will replace injured San Antonio Spurs guard David Jones Garcia on Team Austin in the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars. Jones Garcia is unable to participate because of a right ankle injury.

Mac McClung to be part of the G League Rising Stars team

10:49 p.m ET / Feb. 3

Castrol Rising Stars format

In the Castrol Rising Stars mini-tournament, Team A will face Team B in the first semifinal (Game 1), and Team C will play Team D in the second semifinal (Game 2). The winner of Game 1 will meet the winner of Game 2 in the championship (Game 3).

For each semifinal game, the winner will be the first team to reach or surpass 40 points. For the championship game, the winner will be the first team to reach or surpass 25 points.

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