Team Vince Wins Rising Stars Game by One Point

Team Vince won the NBA Rising Stars game with a very close score of 25-24. Player VJ Edgecombe made the winning shots and was named the Most Valuable Player.
By Newsroom | Basketball, Sports |

Close Game Crowns Rising Stars Champion

The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend concluded its Rising Stars event with a nail-biting championship game. Team Vince emerged victorious over Team Melo in a contest decided by a single point, 25-24. The win was sealed by VJ Edgecombe, a rookie guard for the Philadelphia 76ers, who sank two crucial free throws in the final moments. Edgecombe's performance throughout the event earned him the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

NBA All-Star 2026: Team Vince defeats Team Melo to win Rising Stars championship game - 1

Event Structure and Semifinal Matches

The Rising Stars event featured a mini-tournament format. Semifinal games were played until one team reached 40 points.

NBA All-Star 2026: Team Vince defeats Team Melo to win Rising Stars championship game - 2

  • Game 1: Team Melo defeated Team Austin with a score of 40-34. Key contributors for Team Melo in this match included Donovan Clingan and Reed Sheppard, both scoring nine points.

  • Game 2: Team Vince advanced to the championship by defeating Team T-Mac 41-36. VJ Edgecombe was a significant factor in this win, scoring 17 points.

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The championship game itself had a different scoring objective, with the first team to reach 25 points declared the winner.

NBA All-Star 2026: Team Vince defeats Team Melo to win Rising Stars championship game - 3

Championship Game Details

The final match between Team Vince and Team Melo was a back-and-forth affair.

NBA All-Star 2026: Team Vince defeats Team Melo to win Rising Stars championship game - 4

  • Team Melo started the scoring with a three-pointer from Donovan Clingan.

  • Despite a strong start from Team T-Mac in their semifinal, Team Vince demonstrated resilience.

  • During the championship game, Team Vince maintained a slight lead for much of the second half.

  • Dylan Harper, a rookie guard for the San Antonio Spurs playing for Team Melo, scored a game-high eight points and led his team with five rebounds in the final.

  • VJ Edgecombe led Team Vince in scoring in the final game with six points.

  • The game's outcome hinged on Edgecombe's late free throws, giving Team Vince the 25-24 victory.

Player Standouts

Several young players showcased their talents throughout the Rising Stars event:

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TeamPlayerTeam AffiliationNotes
Team MeloVJ EdgecombePhiladelphia 76ersChampionship-winning free throws, MVP
Team MeloDonovan ClinganPortland Trail Blazers9 points in semifinal
Team MeloReed SheppardHouston Rockets9 points in semifinal
Team MeloDylan HarperSan Antonio SpursGame-high 8 points, 5 rebounds in final
Team VinceVJ EdgecombePhiladelphia 76ers17 points in semifinal, team-high 6 in final

Other players noted in team rosters included: Cooper Flagg (Team Melo), Kon Knueppel (Team T-Mac), Derik Queen (Team Vince), Kel’el Ware (Team T-Mac), Stephon Castle (Team Melo), Tre Johnson (Team T-Mac), Kyshawn George (Team Vince), Matas Buzelis (Team Vince), Alex Sarr (Team T-Mac), Jeremiah Fears (Team Melo), Ajay Mitchell (Team T-Mac), Egor Dёmin (Team Vince), Cedric Coward (Team Vince), Jaylon Tyson (Team T-Mac), Collin Murray-Boyles (Team Melo), Cam Spencer (Team T-Mac), and Jaylen Wells (Team Vince).

Contextual Information

VJ Edgecombe's strong performance in the Rising Stars event aligns with his season averages for the Philadelphia 76ers, where he is averaging 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.0 three-pointers per game. His team, the 76ers, holds a 30-24 record, placing them sixth in the Eastern Conference. The Rising Stars event is part of the broader NBA All-Star Weekend festivities.

Conclusion and Implications

Team Vince's victory in the Rising Stars championship, sealed by VJ Edgecombe's clutch free throws, provides a significant moment for the participating young players. The close nature of the final game, decided by a single point, underscores the competitive spirit displayed. The MVP award for Edgecombe highlights his standout contribution to his team's success. The event's conclusion shifts the focus to the main NBA All-Star Game, with the question remaining whether the momentum from the Rising Stars can carry over to other weekend events.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the 2026 NBA Rising Stars game?
Team Vince won the game. They beat Team Melo by just one point, with a final score of 25-24.
Q: Who was the MVP of the game?
VJ Edgecombe was named the Most Valuable Player. He is a rookie guard for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Q: How was the game decided?
VJ Edgecombe made two free throws at the very end of the game to win it for Team Vince.
Q: What was the format of the game?
The final game was played until one team reached 25 points. The earlier games were played until a team reached 40 points.