Kawhi Leonard hopes players will ‘compete’ in 2026 NBA All-Star Game

In front of the LA Clippers veteran Kawhi LeonardMaking his seventh All-Star Game appearance, he expects a competitive event despite not fully understanding the new format. Leonard is coming off a tough 105-102 win for the Clippers against the Houston Rockets.

Leonardo too anticipating a competitive eveninghe said, according to NBA Premier Chris Haynes.

“He’ll start with the starters, whoever comes out first,” Leonard said. “For me, personally, we should go back to how it was, and if the guys want to play hard, they’re going to play hard. I think it’s going to be competitive this year. I don’t know what the format is. But I hope the guys compete. They usually do, but it’s also an All-Star game.”

The NBA’s new USA vs. World format will feature three teams — Team World, USA Stars and USA Stripes — each with eight players, competing in a round-robin tournament.

Leonard will play for Team USA Stripes alongside Kevin Durant of the Houston Rockets, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers All-Star and Jaylen Brunson of the New York Knicks, as well as Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics and Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavs. Brandon Ingram of the Toronto Raptors and De’Aaron Fox of the San Antonio Spurs are filling in for the injured Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors All-Stars and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks.

Luka Doncic will play for the All-Star Lakers, two-time MVP of the Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray for the first time in the All-Star. The Rockets’ Alperen Sengun, the Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns and the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama are also on the team, along with Portland Blazers All-Star forward Danny Awdia and Indiana Pacers’ Pascal Siakam.

Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves will join All-Star Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns, Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers and All-Star duo of Detroit Pistons Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren on Team USA Stars. The Raptors’ Scotty Barnes is also on the team, along with Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, who is making his first All-Star appearance.

Kawhi Leonard’s take on the Clippers’ Darius Garland trade

Clippers veteran Kawhi Leonard discussed Darius Garland after the Clippers trade with the Cavs on All-Star weekend. While Garland is nursing a toe injury, Leonard can’t wait to add to the team’s offense once he’s healthy.

“I believe he was probably about 20 or 21 when I first got here,” Leonard said. “He was maybe in his third year in the league, so he just kept working and over time he became a guy who stayed in the fourth quarter and held down the fort for us in the paint. He also became very adept in the post, causing double teams on mismatches or on guys his size.”

“He’s had great development, he’s playing well, and he’ll still have a chance to win in Indiana when Tyrese comes back and they get the whole group. It’s not the worst, I told him, so just enjoy his kid and he’ll have a chance to play for a championship.”

The Clippers won three of their last four games before the All-Star break.