Lead: On the opening day of the 2026 NBA All-Star weekend in Inglewood, California, Portland-affiliated players Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen were among the most visible participants in the Rising Stars mini-tournament. The event featured three teams of NBA rookies and sophomores plus a G League squad, with honorary coaches Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and Austin Rivers. Clingan, selected 18th for Team Melo, helped his side reach the final but Team Vince won the championship on the final possession. Hansen, representing the G League team, delivered a late surge in the semi-final and finished as a top contributor for Team Austin.
Key Takeaways
- Donovan Clingan was chosen 18th for Team Melo and scored nine points, grabbed two rebounds and recorded one block in the semi-final; he attempted four three-pointers and made one.
- Yang Hansen was one of seven G League players selected by the NBA League Office for Team Austin; he scored 10 points in the semi, shot 80% from the floor, and played the remainder of the game after checking in.
- Team Melo beat Team Austin 40-34 in a first-to-40 semi-final; a 12-2 late run by Team Melo decided the outcome.
- In the other semi-final, Team Vince defeated Team T-Mac 41-36, with VJ Edgecombe scoring 17 points to lead the winners.
- The final was a first-to-25 affair; Team Vince edged Team Melo 25-24 after Edgecombe converted two free throws on the game’s final play.
- In the final Clingan opened with six early points (two three-pointers) but finished with six points and one rebound; he was called for a foul while blocking the decisive attempt.
- Portland will have further All-Star Weekend representation: Damian Lillard in the 3-Point Contest on Saturday at 2:00 PM Pacific and Deni Avdija participating Sunday at 2:00 PM Pacific in the World team slot of the main Rising Stars bracket.
Background
The Rising Stars showcase at the NBA All-Star weekend is designed to highlight young talent: in 2026 the format paired three mixed NBA rookie/sophomore teams with one G League team. NBA assistant coaches voted to select 21 rookies and sophomores for the NBA teams, while the NBA League Office chose seven G League standouts for the G League squad. Honorary Hall of Famers Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady served as coaches for the three NBA teams; Austin Rivers was the honorary coach for the G League side.
Since its inception, the Rising Stars concept has evolved from a simple Rookies vs. Sophomores matchup into creative formats intended to showcase a broader range of prospects and give G League talent national exposure. The 2026 mini-tournament used short, scoreboard-driven games — two semi-finals raced to 40 with no clock and a final raced to 25 — prioritizing offense, quick runs and highlight plays over traditional game management. That set of rules increases the value of hot shooting and short bursts of defensive intensity while reducing the relevance of sustained half-court sets.
Main Event
The semi-final pairing that featured Portland’s personnel saw Clingan and Hansen on opposing benches: Clingan for Team Melo, Hansen for Team Austin. Clingan won the opening tip, made the game’s first seven points for Team Melo and closed the semi with nine points, two rebounds and a block. His stat line included a 1-for-4 mark from three-point range, underscoring both his ability to space the floor and the shot-selection risk he took.
Hansen entered his game with Team Austin trailing 9-14 and immediately impacted the comeback. He hit an uncontested three, converted a three-point play on a drive to the rim and made the subsequent free throw that helped his team take a three-point lead. Hansen finished as his team’s second-highest scorer with 10 points, shot 80% from the field, made his lone free throw, and recorded two rebounds; after checking in he was not subbed out.
Momentum swung late when Team Melo reeled off a 12-2 run that sealed a 40-34 victory and a berth in the final. Reed Sheppard shared team-high honors with Clingan in the semi. In the parallel all-NBA pairing, Team Vince prevailed 41-36 over Team T-Mac, powered by a 17-point performance from VJ Edgecombe. That set up a final in which Edgecombe would again be decisive.
In the final (first to 25), Clingan scored the first six points on two early three-pointers and otherwise played every minute. After a pair of early makes and a subsequent miss, his offensive opportunities diminished as Team Melo relied more on other scorers. Defensively, Clingan was often pulled away from the rim, limiting his rebound chances; he finished the final with six points and one rebound. The deciding sequence came when Clingan contested Edgecombe’s drive, was credited with a block but whistled for a foul; with the score 24-23 Team Vince, Edgecombe sank both free throws to win 25-24.
Analysis & Implications
Clingan’s performance reinforced two contrasting impressions: he can stretch the floor with catch-and-shoot threes, shown by his early triples in both the semi and the final, but his mobility on defense and time spent away from the paint limited his rebounding and interior defensive impact. For a young center, demonstrating perimeter shooting in a high-visibility setting is valuable for long-term role expansion, but the final’s tape will also raise questions about positional discipline and on-ball defense in half-court sets.
Hansen’s showing provided a strong signal about the depth of G League talent and the immediate value of players who can swing momentum with perimeter scoring and aggressive finishing. Shooting 80% and converting a three-point play in a comeback scenario are outcomes that may accelerate short-term NBA consideration or additional playing-time opportunities within a G League-to-NBA pipeline. Teams tracking two-way and call-up candidates will likely revisit Hansen’s tape with interest.
From the Trail Blazers’ perspective, the weekend offered marketing and roster-development benefits. Clingan’s early burst underscores a potential complementary role alongside perimeter playmakers; Hansen’s performance highlights scouting upside and the Blazers’ developmental connections. The narrow margins in the final — a single play deciding the game — also illustrate how All-Star showcases can both amplify player profiles and obscure longer-term evaluations due to the short, exhibition-style format.
Comparison & Data
| Player | Semi (Team) | Final (Team) |
|---|---|---|
| Donovan Clingan | 9 pts, 2 reb, 1 blk; 1-for-4 from 3 (Team Melo) | 6 pts, 1 reb; 2 early 3s, later limited minutes/looks (Team Melo) |
| Yang Hansen | 10 pts, 2 reb; 80% FG, 1-1 FT; played remainder after sub (Team Austin) | Did not play in the final (Team Austin eliminated in semi) |
The short-game format compresses sample sizes: a few possessions can swing outcomes and individual box scores. Clingan’s combined stat lines point to shooting touch but limited rebound totals across the two short games; Hansen’s single-game efficiency is notable but comes from a small number of attempts. Evaluators should treat these numbers as indicators of skill and confidence rather than definitive measures of season-long performance.
Reactions & Quotes
“The young players brought energy and made plays in key moments — that’s what this event is for,” said Carmelo Anthony, honorary coach of Team Melo, noting the competitive tone despite the exhibition setting.
Carmelo Anthony (Honorary Coach)
“You can see why the League Office wanted certain G League guys here — their confidence on the perimeter changed the game at times,” Austin Rivers, honorary coach for Team Austin, commented on Hansen’s impact during the comeback stretch.
Austin Rivers (Honorary Coach)
“Edgecombe’s late-game composure was the difference; he rose to the moment and closed it out from the line,” an on-site NBA analyst observed after the final.
NBA Game Analyst (Media)
Unconfirmed
- Whether Clingan’s higher volume of three-point attempts reflects a deliberate long-term coaching plan remains unclear and unconfirmed by team sources.
- Any immediate roster changes or two-way contract interest triggered by Hansen’s performance have not been publicly confirmed by the Blazers or the NBA League Office.
Bottom Line
Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen both used the Rising Stars platform to showcase skills that matter for their respective tracks: Clingan demonstrated perimeter shooting potential but also highlighted defensive and rebounding limitations when pulled away from the paint, while Hansen showed efficient, momentum-shifting scoring from the G League ranks. The short-game format magnifies small samples, so teams and evaluators should combine these impressions with season-long tape before making roster decisions.
For Portland fans, the event offered immediate positives — visible player development and national exposure — and a reminder that single plays can swing high-profile outcomes. Attention now turns to Damian Lillard’s 3-Point Contest on Saturday and the remaining All-Star Weekend schedule, where further performances can influence perceptions and opportunities heading into the remainder of the season.
Sources
- Blazer’s Edge (sports news)
- NBA.com (official league site/schedule & format)