NBA All-Star Celebrity Game: Rome Flynn repeats as MVP, Team Giannis wins
INGLEWOOD — Rome Flynn earned MVP honors for the second straight year in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday night, scoring 17 points to lead a team coached by Giannis Antetokounmpo to a 65-58 victory.
Actor/comedian Anthony Anderson coached the losing team, led by 7-foot-6 former NBA player Tacko Fall with 20 points.
The game brought basketball back to the Forum, home of the Lakers’ “Showtime” era until 1999, when they moved to what was then known as Staples Center. Now, the Forum has a different sponsor name under Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and is mostly used as a concert and entertainment venue.
K-pop made its debut at the game with boy group CORTIS performing at halftime.
Victor Wembanyama tossed up the opening tip between Team Giannis’ Jenna Bandy and Team Anthony’s Adrien Nunez, who got control, was fouled and missed his first throw.
Bandy, a former college basketball player who is now a social media personality and sports content creator, was the only woman in either team’s starting lineup.
Team Giannis had a huge advantage in the paint with Fall grabbing most of the rebounds. His dunk made it a one-point game in the third quarter.
Chinese actor/singer Dylan Wang garnered the loudest screams of the night, especially after he scored back-to-back baskets in the first quarter for Team Giannis.
Two of the oldest guys on the court were Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia (age 46) and Rick Schnall (50-something), who is part of the Charlotte Hornets’ ownership group. Schnall fouled Ishbia in the first quarter, and Ishbia hit the free throws in a throwback to his Michigan State playing days.
Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen hit a long shot from the red, white and blue line that was worth four points for Team Anthony. It launched a flurry of points for the wide receiver in the second quarter and he finished with 18.
Mascots from the Hornets and Mavericks alternated as sixth men restricted to playing in the backcourt for a bit in the third quarter.
Sidelined since Jan. 23 with a calf strain, Antetokounmpo won’t be playing in the All-Star Game on Sunday.
But the two-time MVP was assisted by his brothers Thanasis and Alex on Friday. Another assistant coach was Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts.
Former NBA player Jeremy Lin credited Betts for an inspiring halftime speech. “He definitely knows a lot about basketball,” Lin said.
The game marked the start of All-Star Weekend, followed by the Rising Stars event down the street at the Intuit Dome.
Rome Flynn wins @RUFFLES Celebrity Game MVP for the 2nd year in a row pic.twitter.com/6vzW9Ybmb2
— NBA (@NBA) February 14, 2026
Rome Flynn goes off the backboard to Tacko Fall for the alley-oop slam!
@RUFFLES Celeb Game on ESPN pic.twitter.com/4pJMrxm6zI
— NBA (@NBA) February 14, 2026
Keenan Allen with the in-and-out dribble
Tap to watch on ESPN: https://t.co/KpC9nJ3izv pic.twitter.com/3EkFywKGpv
— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) February 14, 2026
SHOWTIME TACKO FALL
Tap to watch on ESPN: https://t.co/KpC9nJ3Qp3 pic.twitter.com/quWI8T7tVo
— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) February 14, 2026
Defending a fastbreak? No problem for Keenan Allen!
@RUFFLES Celeb Game on ESPN pic.twitter.com/JVj3xY3ey0
— NBA (@NBA) February 14, 2026
Mat Ishbia with the HIGH-arcing jumper!
@RUFFLES Celeb Game on ESPN pic.twitter.com/1X8mVw7UWF
— NBA (@NBA) February 14, 2026
JEREMY LIN 8-POINT SHOT.
WOW. pic.twitter.com/rymEJ15wP6
— NBA (@NBA) February 14, 2026
“I need her to shoot 20 more shots!”
Brandon Ingram with the halftime pep talk for GloRilla!
Tap to watch on ESPN: https://t.co/xTBeXI0Wvj pic.twitter.com/DFg5KcrjRu
— NBA (@NBA) February 14, 2026