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Spike Lee sat at the Intuit Dome in Southern California for the NBA All-Star Game, but it was his outfit that grabbed attention during the event.
Lee wore a pro-Palestinian look to the festivities in Inglewood, Calif., as the league unveiled its new format, which featured World All-Stars and USA All-Stars on Team Stars and Team Stripes.
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Spike Lee at The 2026 NBA All-Star Game held at the Intuit Dome on February 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images)
The World All-Stars featured Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija. It was the first time an Israeli-born player appeared in an All-Star game. Avdija wore the Israeli flag on the back of his jersey for the match.
Lee didn’t make any extra statement, but his outfit was enough of a message.
“I feel that when I come to play, I come with the whole nation, and it’s fun to show that it’s possible, even for a small country like us,” he said after the match, via the Times of Israel.
While political issues didn’t seem to seep into the game, Houston Rockets star Alperen Sengun was asked about his relationship with Avdija on Saturday. Sengun is Turkish, and the relationship between the two countries is far from strong.
Spike Lee smiles from his courtside seat during the NBA All-Star basketball game Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, in Inglewood, California. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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“You know, I think things are much bigger than ours. We just want to represent our country, here, you know, the best we can. Deni is the same harder worker,” Sengun told reporters. “You know, great guy, great person. One of my good friends in this league.
“And like I said things are much bigger than our things. We’re just here doing what we love and other things are out of our control. And hopefully, you know, obviously basketball is the thing that hopefully brings everybody love, and staying together, you know, that’s what we’re here for. And like I said, the other things are out of our control, and hopefully all you know is that, and that’s peace in the world.”
Deni Avdija speaks during interviews at media day at the Intuit Dome on February 14, 2026. (William Liang/Imagn Images)
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Avdija played a total of 15 minutes between the two games the World All-Stars played in the new format. The World All-Stars lost both games.
