Team USA Stripes and Team World will lock horns in Game 2 or Game 3 of the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend on Sunday. In the new format, three teams will face off against each other at least once before the championship round. If it’s a tie-breaker, point differential will decide which two teams advance to the last round.
Team USA stripes has most of the veteran American players. Steph, Jaylen Brown and Jalen Brunson were voted as the starters in their respective conferences. LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Donovan Mitchell were the reserves. NBA commissioner Adam Silver named Kawhi Leonard as an addition to the USA All-Stars. Meanwhile, De’Aaron Fox and Brandon Ingram are replacements. Steph Curry is injured and won’t suit up.
Meanwhile, Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo will lead Team World. The other starters include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama. Pascal Siakam, Deni Avdija, Jamal Murray, Norman Powell and Karl-Anthony Towns were voted as the reserves.
Alperen Sengun will replace the injured Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Giannis Antetokounmpo will also be on the sidelines. De’Aaron Fox was announced as his replacement, who will suit up for Team USA Stripes.
Team USA Stripes vs. Team World Prediction, Odds, Preview and Betting Tips
Money line: Team USA Stripes +110, Team World -120
Spread: Team USA Stripes +1.5 (-115), Team World -1.5 (-115)
Total over/under (o/u): Team USA Stripes U81.5 (-110), Team World O81.5 (-110)
Team USA Stripes vs. Team World Preview
Team USA Stripes will enter Sunday’s clash against Team World shorthanded, missing one of its best-performing players in Steph Curry. The reigning All-Star game MVP is averaging 27.2 points this season, and his shooting in an All-Star game competition could have come in handy for quick scoring.
Nevertheless, with other older players like Kevin Durant and LeBron James, who will have support from the likes of Jaylen Brown and Jalen Brunson, the Americans will like their chances against a stacked Team World lineup, which is also missing bona fide MVP candidates like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
It will come down to Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic’s level of competition as the duo can dictate the game with their all-around play. There’s not much Team USA Stripes can do, especially without a center on their roster, if Doncic and Jokic get going.
Team USA Stripes vs. Team World Betting Tips
Luka Doncic is +145 to make more than two 3-pointers.
Jamal Murray is -135 to make over 1.5 3-pointers.
Team USA Stripes vs. Team World Prediction
In a 12-minute game, anything can happen. However, the Stripes not having a single center to guard Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama sways the game in Team World’s favor. It could still be close, but Luka Doncic and Co. will likely come out on top.
