The NBA Rising Stars Challenge has often been viewed as a less significant event during the All-Star Weekend. Unlike the high-profile All-Star Game and the rich history of Saturday’s competitions, the Friday event typically garners the least attention. However, this year, the NBA elevated the stakes for the Rising Stars Challenge. With the All-Star game adopting a tournament format, the league required a fourth team to join the three pre-selected squads of eight players each set to compete on Sunday.

This is where the Rising Stars stepped in. The tournament held on Friday acted as a Play-In event for the main games on Sunday. The victorious team would earn the opportunity to play alongside the NBA’s elite. Ultimately, Team Chris Mullin—commonly referred to as Team C—emerged as the champion after a decisive victory in its initial game against Team Tim Hardaway, although their final opponent was an unexpected challenge.

Results of the NBA Rising Stars Challenge

• Game 1: Team C 40, Team T 34
• Game 2: Team G League 40, Team M 39
• Championship: Team C 25, Team G League 14

Team Jeremy Lin, made up entirely of G League players, faced off against the favored Team Mitch Richmond in a tightly contested matchup that came down to the final moments. With a score of 39-37 and possession of the ball, Lin called a timeout, and the G League team opted to go for the win. Aiming for the target score of 40, they decided on a three-point attempt to clinch the victory without risking a turnover. Bryce McGowens successfully scored the game-winning three-pointer, sealing their advancement.

The G League squad carried their momentum into the championship match, having just completed their semifinal game, while Team Mullin appeared to struggle initially after a long break. This allowed the G League team to establish a quick 12-8 lead. With the final target score set at only 25 points, Team Mullin had little time to recover. However, after their first timeout, they found their rhythm, closing the game with an impressive 17-2 run led by tournament MVP Stephon Castle from the San Antonio Spurs, clinching the victory.

As champions of the Rising Stars Challenge, Team Mullin is poised to join the festivities on Sunday. This will give Castle, Ryan Dunn, Zach Edey, Keyonte George, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Dalton Knecht, and Jaylen Wells the chance to test their skills against some of the world’s top players. Although Team Jeremy Lin did not win the championship, they displayed formidable talent against some of the most promising up-and-comers in the league. While they may not have secured the title, all seven members capitalized on this valuable showcase experience.