Kawhi Leonard drops 31 points to help the USA Stripes beat Team World 48-45
The USA Stripes #2 Kawhi Leonard (F) while dribbling is being guarded by Team World #32 Karl-Anthony Downs (C) in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Star Games at the Intuit Dome. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1 February 15, 2026.
INGLEWOOD, CA - The USA Stripes had to come from behind with a strong game from the Los Angeles Clippers ' seven-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard (F) in just 12 minutes, made 11 of 13 shots from the floor, and 6 of 7 from 3pt range, scored 31points to help beat the Team World 48-45 in the second game featured at the NBA All-Star Games.
Jalen Brunson (G) was second in scoring behind Leonard with 8 points, and Kevin Durant (F) had 7 points. Victor Wembanyama (F) led the World in scoring with 19 points, Jamal Murray (G) with 8 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns (C) and Pascal Siakam (F), both with 6 points.
Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, received a warm welcome from the fans attending the games at the Intuit Dome.
Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle were having a great time at the NBA All Star Games, and both of them received a warm welcome from the fans at the Intuit Dome. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1 February 15, 2026.
Leonard didn’t waste any time getting going, knocking down a three-pointer to give the Stripes a 3-0 lead. Towns would make a three-pointer to tie the game 3-3. Wembanyama would drive to the basket for a power dunk to give World a 15-13 lead.
LeBron James would pass the ball to Brunson for a three-pointer to give the lead back to the Stripes 16-15. The World built a seven-point lead, 27-20, with a dunk by Siakam with 6:46 left in the quarter. Leonard would respond by knocking down a three-point shot that had the Stripes trailing 27-23.
Leonard was in a zone and buried another three-pointer to tie the game, 29-29, with 5:16 left in the quarter. The Stripes would regain the lead 31-29 when Leonard pulled up for a jump shot.
Kevin Durant gave the Stripes a four-point lead, 38-34, with a jump shot at the top of the key. Wembanyama would pull up for a three-point shot, and the World now trailed by one point, 38-37, with 1:47 left in the first quarter.
Team World #32 Karl-Anthony Towns (C) is being guarded on the sideline by the USA Stripes #23 LeBron James (F) in Game 2 of the NBA All Star Games at the Intuit Dome. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1 February 15, 2026.
Wembanyama would regain the lead for the World 41-40 after going up for a three-point shot. With 52.5 seconds left in the contest, Leonard would tie the game 43-43 after making one free throw. James from the left side of the basket would knock down a jump shot to give the Stripes a 45-43 lead.
Wembanyama would tie the game 45-45 with two clutch free throws with 25.8 seconds left in the game. With 3.5 left on the clock, Leonard would bury another three-pointer to give the Stripes a 48-45 lead, forcing the World to call a timeout and give them a chance to tie the game.
The World had a chance to force the game into an overtime period, but Wembanyama three-point shot didn’t fall for him, and the Stripes would be move on to the NBA All-Star Championship Game game to face the USA Team Stars.