Team Vince Wins 2026 NBA Rising Stars Championship by 1 Point

Team Vince won the NBA Rising Stars title by just 1 point, 25-24. VJ Edgecombe scored the winning free throws.
By Newsroom | Sports, Basketball |

The NBA Rising Stars game, a showcase for the league's burgeoning talent, concluded with Team Vince emerging as champions. The final game was a tightly contested affair, with Team Vince securing a narrow 25-24 victory over Team Melo. VJ Edgecombe was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his pivotal contributions, including scoring the game-winning free throws.

Rising star rocks title race in 13-min mayhem; veteran breaks incredible PL record - Wrap - 1

The revamped tournament format featured four teams, playing in a semifinal and championship structure. Team Vince advanced to the title game by defeating Team T-Mac in their semifinal matchup. The championship game saw Team Vince overcome Team Melo, a team that had previously defeated Team Austin in their semifinal.

Rising star rocks title race in 13-min mayhem; veteran breaks incredible PL record - Wrap - 2

Tournament Progression and Key Matchups

The 2026 NBA Rising Stars event adopted a Final Four-style bracket, featuring four teams: Team Austin, Team Melo, Team T-Mac, and Team Vince. The semifinals required a team to reach 40 points to advance, while the championship game was played to 25 points.

Read More: Lindsey Vonn Addresses Criticism After 2026 Olympics Crash and Injury

Rising star rocks title race in 13-min mayhem; veteran breaks incredible PL record - Wrap - 3

  • Semifinal 1: Team Melo defeated Team Austin with a score of 40-34.

  • Semifinal 2: Team Vince emerged victorious over Team T-Mac, 41-36.

  • Championship Game: Team Vince narrowly defeated Team Melo 25-24 to secure the title.

VJ Edgecombe's Stellar Performance and MVP Award

VJ Edgecombe, a guard for the Philadelphia 76ers, was the standout player of the tournament, earning unanimous MVP honors. His performance in the championship game was particularly crucial.

Rising star rocks title race in 13-min mayhem; veteran breaks incredible PL record - Wrap - 4

  • Edgecombe scored 23 points in the final game.

  • He sank the game-winning free throws that clinched the 25-24 victory for Team Vince.

  • His achievement places him in notable company, as he joins Allen Iverson and Andre Iguodala as the only 76ers players to win the Rising Stars MVP award.

Other Notable Performances and Team Standings

While VJ Edgecombe received the MVP award, other players also made significant contributions throughout the tournament.

  • Dylan Harper, a rookie for the San Antonio Spurs and the younger brother of Team Melo's honorary coach, played a key role for Team Melo. He scored the go-ahead jumper in their semifinal game and finished the championship game with eight points, five rebounds, and one assist.

  • Team Melo also featured players like Donovan Clingan, who hit an opening three-pointer in one of their early games, and Spurs rookie Dylan Harper, who made a corner three.

  • The Philadelphia 76ers celebrated VJ Edgecombe's victory, highlighting his role in bringing the championship trophy to Team Vince.

Championship Context and Format Evolution

The 2026 Rising Stars event saw a change in format, moving to a bracketed system with four teams, as opposed to previous years which often featured Rookies vs. Sophomores or USA vs. World matchups. The location for the 2026 event was the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA. The shift in format aimed to create more competitive and dramatic matchups, which was evident in the closely decided championship game.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the 2026 NBA Rising Stars Championship?
Team Vince won the 2026 NBA Rising Stars Championship. They beat Team Melo with a close score of 25-24 in the final game.
Q: Who was the MVP of the 2026 NBA Rising Stars game?
VJ Edgecombe was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2026 NBA Rising Stars game. He plays for the Philadelphia 76ers and scored the winning free throws.
Q: What was the score of the 2026 NBA Rising Stars Championship game?
The championship game score was 25-24. Team Vince won against Team Melo.
Q: How did the 2026 NBA Rising Stars tournament format work?
The 2026 tournament used a Final Four bracket with four teams. Semifinal games were played to 40 points, and the championship game was played to 25 points.
Q: Where was the 2026 NBA Rising Stars event held?
The 2026 NBA Rising Stars event took place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.