Anthony Edwards speaks about Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic not competing at the All-Star Game.
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game was one of the most competitive in years as the league switched the format to USA vs. The World.
The USA squad was split into two, with one team featuring the older, more established stars and the other team housing the more up-and-coming stars of tomorrow. The three teams played in a round robin format with the top two teams advancing to a final game.
The tone was set early in game one between the USA Stars and the World, with Victor Wembanyama playing aggressively on both ends of the floor. Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards followed suit, and both teams gave their best effort in a game that went to overtime.
Edwards Calls Out Jokic and Doncic
While the majority of the players were playing at a higher level of intensity than most fans are accustomed to in the All-Star game, there were some exceptions.
Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic played just five minutes each in the first game and did not play in the second game.
“No shade towards Luka [Doncic] and [Nikola] Jokic, but like they two of the best players in the league, they not tryna play in the All-Star Game," Edwards said after the game.
Doncic missed four games prior to the All-Star Break with a hamstring injury and said that he wanted to play because the fans voted him into the starting lineup.
Jokic is coming off a knee injury that cost him a month of the season, but he played in seven straight games since his return before the break.
Jokic And Doncic In The All-Star Game
Ahead of the weekend, Houston Rockets All-Star Kevin Durant called out Jokic and Doncic for not competing hard in the All-Star games when fans and media questioned him and other veteran players for the lack of intensity in past years.
While Jokic and Doncic are two of the best players in the league and often put up video game numbers in regular season games, their All-Star numbers leave plenty to be desired.
In nine All-Star games, Jokic has averaged 5.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. Doncic has played in six All-Star games, averaging 6.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists.
They combined for two points, two rebounds, and two assists on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards took home the MVP trophy, averaging 10.6 points, three rebounds, and one assist in the three games.