ALL-STAR GAME

February 15, 2026

Anthony Edwards

USA Stars

Postgame Press Conference

Q. This game was a bit more intense than the previous years. Let's talk about that. You said that Wemby pretty much set the stage. Let's talk about Wemby's performance and also what made you want to kind of just show your worth with the Stars as well?

ANTHONY EDWARDS: Yeah, he set the tone, and it was definitely competitive with all three teams, I feel like. I feel like the old heads played hard too. They were playing real good defense.

Yeah, he set the tone, man, and it woke me up, for sure.

Q. Ant, we see that repeat trophy. First off, congratulations on that. How does it feel to get that in the last game against the OGs?

ANTHONY EDWARDS: It felt good. Before we walked out, Cade (Cunningham) said we got to get our lick back. So we came out and stomped on them.

Q. I'm not going to lie, you were cooking people out there. Where do you get your confidence from? Is it just something you're born with, or is it just something you've gotten over the years?

ANTHONY EDWARDS: I feel like it comes from the work. All the hours I put it in the gym. I'm always in the gym. So being in the gym, shooting those shots all the time, it's just you build confidence with the net.

Q. The Twin Cities haven't had a lot -- there's a lot going on obviously out there. I know this doesn't necessarily connect to what's happening, but what does this small accomplishment, having something for the Timberwolves organization, you winning the MVP -- I know you have bigger things that you want to accomplish this year, but what does this small victory mean to bring back home to Minnesota?

ANTHONY EDWARDS: It means a lot. I love Minnesota, and I know Minnesota loves me. I said I wasn't going to put on a show for them, but I gave them a show. Appreciate you all, Minnesota.

Q. What was it like to see Kawhi go for 31 in one quarter?

ANTHONY EDWARDS: I told him when we walked out for the last game, I said, hey, you need to chill out. I think 30-some points in the quarter is crazy, though, for sure.

Q. Ant, you guys took out the World Team, and you took out the old heads from the U.S. Which one was more enjoyable for you personally to have the bragging rights over that group?

ANTHONY EDWARDS: Probably beating the World team, yeah.

Q. Why?

ANTHONY EDWARDS: Because they say they're the best players in the world. So beating them is the best feeling in the world.

Q. Do you think that this kind of format for the All-Star Game can work going forward given how well it worked today?

ANTHONY EDWARDS: Yeah, I think they ain't really going to take in what I'm saying, but I like this format. I think it makes us compete because it's only 12 minutes, and the three different teams separate the guys. I think it was really good.

Q. With the start of winning this MVP, can we say that this is going to start a new pattern of MVPs going to your trophy collection?

ANTHONY EDWARDS: Yeah, I think so. I hope so.

Q. You spent a lot of time with a lot of the old heads during the Olympics. What was some of the game that they were able to give you that you were able to impart upon the rest of your --

ANTHONY EDWARDS: Myself?

Q. Yeah, what was some of the game that they gave you that you were able to impart to your teammates this year during the All-Star?

ANTHONY EDWARDS: I wouldn't say like they didn't give me nothing to tell the All-Stars, but I will say playing with the USA team, it taught me about having a routine. Especially when it comes to being on the court, because watching Steph, KD and Bron every day doing the same routine. It's normal for a person to get bored getting up and doing the same thing every day, but I feel like that's what made them great. That's what they taught me, for sure.

Q. Yesterday we talked about competing, and you were like "it is what it is." What changed?

ANTHONY EDWARDS: I told you, Wemby.

Q. Was it Wemby? And the format as well?

ANTHONY EDWARDS: And the format, for sure. It was a really good setup for the All-Star Game, I feel like, yeah.

Q. Great game, my friend. I'm just curious in the last game, going against the old heads, what was the motivational factor for the win?

ANTHONY EDWARDS: Yeah, they beat us the first game.

Q. What was driving you?

ANTHONY EDWARDS: They beat us the first game. We thought we had won the game. We didn't know you play the whole 12 minutes out. We thought it was the first to 40. I hit a 3 to get to 40, and we thought the game was over. Fox came back and hit a 3, and they won. I kind of felt like we got wigged out, but it's all good.

Q. L.A. '28 Olympics are going to be here in a couple of years. I wonder how you think this All-Star Game sets the stage for that, and so do these memories, if this format stays, they'll remember you scoring as many as you did tonight. You're MVP. Next year and the year following who knows. What do you think this is going to build up to for the L.A. '28 Olympics?

ANTHONY EDWARDS: I don't know what it's going to build up to, but I know it's going to be packed. I know it's going to be a lot of people, and it's going to be a lot of fun.

Q. I know you've met him before, but President Obama was here, the Obamas were here. Did that give you any extra motivation to play any harder tonight?

ANTHONY EDWARDS: Yeah, for sure. You've always got to put on a show for -- he's my favorite person in the world. We were kicking it yesterday. Me and him had a great time yesterday. I told him I was going to put on a show for him.