At a Glance
- The 2026 NBA Rising Stars Challenge will feature four newly formed teams built from the latest draft class.
- The event takes place on Friday, Feb. 13 at 9 p.m. ET.
- Teams compete in a mini-tournament, with semifinals decided by the first team to reach 40 points and a final where 25 points wins.
- Why it matters: Fans can see fresh talent battle it out in a high-energy showcase before the All-Star Game.
The 2026 NBA Rising Stars Challenge is set to ignite excitement for the upcoming All-Star Weekend. The event brings together the league’s newest prospects, offering a stage where they can demonstrate their skills against peers from other franchises. As the NBA’s premier mid-season showcase, the Rising Stars Challenge has grown in popularity, and this year’s lineup promises to deliver standout performances.
Drafting the Teams
The NBA on NBC studio draft, conducted on Tuesday, saw analysts Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, and Vince Carter select players to build four teams. Austin Rivers will lead the fourth team, a G-League squad that will compete alongside the NBA-affiliated rosters.
Team Melo
- Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks)
- Reed Sheppard (Houston Rockets)
- Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs)
- Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs)
- Jeremiah Fears (New Orleans Pelicans)
- Donovan Clingan (Portland Trail Blazers)
- Collin Murray-Boyles (Toronto Raptors)
Team T-Mac
- Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets)
- Kel’el Ware (Miami Heat)
- Tre Johnson (Washington Wizards)
- Alex Sarr (Washington Wizards)
- Ajay Mitchell (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Jaylon Tyson (Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Cam Spencer (Memphis Grizzlies)
Team Vince
- V.J. Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers)
- Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans)
- Kyshawn George (Washington Wizards)
- Matas Buzelis (Chicago Bulls)
- Egor Dёmin (Brooklyn Nets)
- Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Jaylen Wells (Memphis Grizzlies)
Team Rivers (G-League)
- Sean East II (Salt Lake City Stars)
- Ron Harper Jr. (Maine Celtics)
- David Jones Garcia (Austin Spurs)
- Yanic Konan Niederhäuser (San Diego Clippers)
- Alijah Martin (Raptors 905)
- Tristen Newton (Rio Grande Valley Vipers)
- Yang Hansen (Rip City Remix)
How the Competition Works
The format mirrors the All-Star Game’s structure but with a twist. Two semifinals pit the four teams against each other:
| Matchup | Scoring Goal |
|---|---|
| Team A vs. Team B | First to 40 points |
| Team C vs. Team D | First to 40 points |
The winners advance to a final where the first team to reach 25 points claims the Rising Stars title. This scoring approach keeps the games fast-paced and ensures a dramatic finish.
When and Where
The challenge is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 13 at 9 p.m. ET, airing exclusively on Peacock. The venue for All-Star Weekend is the Intuit Dome, the home arena of the Los Angeles Clippers. Fans attending in person will experience the excitement of seeing emerging talent compete in a high-profile setting.
Broadcast Details
Peacock will stream the entire event, making it accessible to viewers nationwide. There is no television broadcast outside of the Peacock stream, so fans who prefer cable must subscribe to the platform to catch the games.
Draft Context
The 2025 NBA Draft’s top ten selections set the stage for the Rising Stars rosters. Cooper Flagg, chosen No. 1 overall, joined the Dallas Mavericks, while V.J. Edgecombe was selected third overall by the Philadelphia 76ers. These picks illustrate the league’s confidence in the new talent and their potential impact on the Rising Stars Challenge.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 NBA Rising Stars Challenge showcases the league’s newest prospects in a competitive, fast-paced format.
- Four teams, each built from the latest draft pool, will battle to reach 40 points in the semifinals and 25 points in the final.
- The event takes place on Friday, Feb. 13 at 9 p.m. ET and is streamed exclusively on Peacock.
- The Intuit Dome will host the games, providing fans with an intimate view of emerging stars.
- The draft’s top picks, including Cooper Flagg and V.J. Edgecombe, are already shaping the rosters and adding intrigue to the matchup.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see which new talents rise to the occasion and who will ultimately claim the Rising Stars crown ahead of the All-Star Game.
