Anthony Edwards was named the NBA All-Star Game MVP as the USA Stars defeated the USA Stripes 47-21.
The Minnesota Timberwolves guard finished with 32 points, nine rebounds and three assists to capture the Kobe Bryant Trophy.
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The 75th NBA All-Star Game changed the traditional Eastern Conference versus Western Conference format.
The new round-robin tournament consists of four 12-minute games between two teams from the United States (one made up of young players, the other made up of veteran stars) and a group of international players.
Edwards, 24, and Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder each scored eight points in the final game, while Philadelphia 76ers teammate Tyrese Maxey added nine points.
“It means a lot,” Edwards said of his MVP award. “I love Minnesota and I know Minnesota loves me. I said I wasn’t going to put on a show for them, but I gave them a show.”
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The Stripes missed their first 10 shots in the final and the Young Stars led 12-1. The Stars then went on a 15-0 run to take a 33-9 lead, and the veterans were defeated.
NBA all-time scoring leader LeBron James, 41, was participating in his 22nd All-Star Game and contributed 5 points for the Stripes.
Edwards scored 13 points in the round-robin opener at the Los Angeles Clippers’ Intuit Dome, but was keen to highlight the performance of San Antonio Spurs World Team player Victor Wembanyama.
The Frenchman scored 14 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks, helping the team lose 37-35. “I’m not going to lie, Winby set the tone,” Edwards said. “He played hard and we had to follow him. We had to pick it up and that’s what we did.”
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The new format was deemed a success after criticism that recent versions were lackluster. Former U.S. President Obama said on the sidelines: “I know a lot of people are paying attention to the All-Star Game and don’t see that much effort. But we see it.”