The NBA All-Star Celebrity Game once again brought its usual blend of fun and surprise moments on Friday night, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, coached Team Giannis with his brothers Thanasis and Alex, along with Mookie Betts.
During the second quarter, Giannis Antetokounmpo sent former NBA center Tacko Fall into the game. At 7-foot-6, Fall towered over just about everyone in the building. As he checked in, the two-time MVP delivered a lighthearted remark that quickly drew laughs from those nearby.
"Quit trying to be like Wemby, be like Shaq.”
— Giannis to Tacko Fall. 🤣🤣
(h/t @NBA__Courtside)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 14, 2026
“Quit trying to be like Wemby, be like Shaq!” Giannis told the towering Tacko Fall.
Giannis’ words seemed to spark a response. Tacko Fall, officially measured an inch taller than Victor Wembanyama, turned in the night’s most dominant showing. The 7-foot-6 center piled up 20 points and 21 rebounds, owning the interior and anchoring Team Giannis in its win over Team Anthony.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tacko Fall’s big night at the Celebrity All-Star Game
Even with his commanding performance, Fall did not walk away with MVP honors. The award instead went to Rome Flynn for the second year in a row after he poured in 17 points and knocked down three of his seven attempts from beyond the arc. The outcome highlighted how the celebrity game rewards flair and all-around impact just as much as raw numbers.
Fall’s big night arrived three years after his most recent NBA game. The 30-year-old center now suits up for the Ningbo Rockets in the Chinese Basketball Association, joining the club in August 2025. In his latest outing overseas on February 3, he recorded nine points and seven blocks in a victory against the Beijing Royal Fighters.
Team Antetokounmpo’s roster also featured NFL standout Amon-Ra St. Brown, comedian Keegan-Michael Key, rapper GloRilla, and ESPN reporter Shams Charania, along with several other celebrity participants.
The lead-up to the All-Star Celebrity Game picked up extra buzz after Doc Rivers and the Milwaukee Bucks took playful jabs at Shams Charania in the days following the trade deadline, appearing to poke fun at his reports about Antetokounmpo’s situation. That context made the pairing feel slightly awkward to some, given the back-and-forth that unfolded before the event.
