Tacko Fall’s 20-Point Outburst Highlights Celebrity Game Despite Loss
Former NBA big man Tacko Fall turned heads Friday night with a 20-point performance in the All-Star Celebrity Game, but his team fell 65-58 in Inglewood. The outing was one of the night’s more surprising basketball displays, as entertainers and athletes mixed on the court at the Forum on Feb. 13, 2026 (ET).
Big frames, bigger moments: Fall leads the losing side
Standing 7-foot-6, Tacko Fall made the most of his size and experience in the celebrity showcase, converting shots around the rim, grabbing rebounds and finishing hard in traffic. Fall finished with a game-high 20 points, a number that outpaced many usual basketball-first participants and provided one of the evening’s most memorable performances.
While the event is designed for entertainment more than competitive substance, Fall’s efficiency in the painted area and ability to draw attention on defense gave his team consistent advantages. He repeatedly carved out space for easy finishes and drew defensive rotations that opened looks for teammates. Those efforts kept the contest close late into the fourth quarter, even as the opposing side’s depth and speed ultimately decided the outcome.
Game context: MVP, venue and halftime surprises
Rome Flynn earned MVP honors with 17 points, leading the winning squad to a 65-58 victory. The game marked a return of All-Star festivities to the Forum, the storied arena tied to a historic era of Los Angeles basketball. Now operating primarily as a concert and entertainment venue under new ownership, the Forum provided a nostalgic backdrop for this year’s celebrity contest.
The night also featured a cultural crossover at halftime, with a K-pop group delivering a performance that brought a different energy to the event. Coaches for the two sides included major names from the sports and entertainment world, blending pro-basketball credibility with Hollywood showmanship and underscoring the game’s dual mission of competition and spectacle.
What the performance means for Fall and the event
Tacko Fall’s showing reinforced his appeal as a fan favorite and a unique attraction in non-traditional basketball settings. His size remains an asset that translates even in lighthearted formats, and the 20-point night is likely to boost interest in future appearances where veteran professionals and entertainers cross paths on the hardwood.
Beyond the stat line, the game highlighted how All-Star Weekend programming can mix sporting highlights with broader entertainment elements. The Forum setting, the halftime performance, and the celebrity-driven rosters all combined to create a night where a player like Fall could dominate the interior and still be part of a larger entertainment narrative.
For spectators, the matchup offered both competitive moments and crowd-pleasing theatrics. For Fall, it was a reminder that his physical gifts and finishing touch can produce headline-grabbing results even outside standard pro competition. The loss won’t dim the significance of the performance: in a showcase built for fun, standout play is what fans remember.
Play-by-play and box-score details from the event underline the balance between spectacle and sport that made the All-Star Celebrity Game one of the more talked-about installments of this year’s festivities.
