The starters for the 2026 NBA All-Star game have been finalized following weeks of voting by fans, media, and players to select the leading athletes to represent their conference and nation. The announcement for the reserves is scheduled for Feb 1.
Utilizing the new «United States versus the World» format, three teams will be created, comprising eight players each—two of which will consist of American athletes and the other featuring international players.
Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo topped the fan votes for their conferences, while some new talents have emerged as All-Star starters, such as Cade Cunningham and Tyrese Maxey. The NBA All-Star weekend is set for Feb. 15 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
Our NBA insiders discuss the star-studded rosters, highlighting key surprises, exciting pairings to watch, and further roster projections.
THE 2026 ALL-STAR STARTERS ARE HERE 🤩 pic.twitter.com/4fp7KA7AkZ
— ESPN (@espn) January 19, 2026
What did the voters get right?
Choosing three guards in the starting lineup for the East was a smart move. One significant alteration to this year’s selection process was the elimination of positional requirements from the ballot, allowing a more robust group of guards to shine in the East, especially with steadfast forward Jayson Tatum out of play. Voters could have filled positions based on tradition by including taller players, but they made a wise choice instead. — Kevin Pelton
What did the voters get wrong?
It’s challenging to argue against Stephen Curry earning a starting position. He is unquestionably an All-Star and deserves to start for a sixth year in a row, but Anthony Edwards, who received my media vote, is equally deserving. Edwards is currently achieving a career-best 29.6 PPG and has matched Curry’s efficiency this season.
I also cast my vote for Donovan Mitchell in the East, although he likely received less recognition because the Cleveland Cavaliers have underperformed this season. This isn’t due to Mitchell, who is playing at an elite level. Nevertheless, both Edwards and Mitchell will participate in the All-Star Game and may even start with American players divided into two teams, making these points more about preference than legitimate concerns. — Pelton
Which international duo are you most eager to see play together?
Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama. Giannis features an extraordinary blend of size and athleticism that has earned him the nickname The Greek Freak… but beside Wemby, he appears more like a guard. I expect to witness dunks from every direction when the Freak and the Alien share the court during the All-Star game. Additionally, Wemby possesses one of the league’s finest shooting techniques, so Giannis kicking out to him for a three-pointer after collapsing the defense should also produce thrilling moments.
If they engage in defense, the shot-blocking potential could be phenomenal. Their contrasting styles create an interesting dynamic, and if Giannis and Wemby inspire each other, it may lead to All-Star brilliance. — Andre Snellings
Which American duo are you most excited to see on the court?
Curry and Tyrese Maxey. Once the complete roster is released, I may swap Maxey for Anthony Edwards, but the mix of Curry’s limitless range and Maxey’s rapid pace with the ball would certainly be a joy to witness—especially in an All-Star atmosphere.
The international team, if all players participate, is poised to have remarkable size advantages with Antetokounmpo, Wembanyama, and Nikola Jokic all on the floor, while American rosters are likely to lean heavily on guards, contrasting their play styles nicely. — Tim Bontemps
What should be done about LeBron James‘ 21-year All-Star streak?
If James is healthy, he must be included in the All-Star game. It’s a straightforward decision. Is he one of the top 12 American players in the league? Yes. Are the Lakers competitive in the West? Yes. Are his statistics worthy of consideration? 22.6/5.9/6.9 on 50.9% shooting—definitely.
Considering the game is set to take place in L.A., and this may very well be James’s final All-Star appearance, including him is a clear choice.
If the coaches fail to select James as a reserve, it falls upon Adam Silver to ensure he is added to the roster. There might be lingering resentment from the league about last season’s events—rightly so. James traveled to San Francisco but had to withdraw last minute due to ongoing foot and ankle issues.
If he had opted out sooner, a deserving player could have taken his place as an All-Star. That could have been managed more effectively.
However, from a broader view, as the league strives to keep the All-Star game relevant, one of its goals is to celebrate legends nearing retirement. Recall Michael Jordan in Atlanta in 2003; Kobe Bryant in Toronto in 2016; or even Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade in Charlotte in 2019, both added by Silver despite diminished on-court contributions.
If James remains healthy, extending that All-Star presence to 22 years is an absolute necessity. — Dave McMenamin
What is the league’s sentiment regarding the new format?
The response to the revamped format has largely been indifferent, though there is cautious optimism that these changes may enhance the game. In 2020, the league introduced a target score ending and heightened competitiveness, particularly after Kobe Bryant’s death, yet no reform has proven effective for an extended period.
A larger issue in the league revolves around the ongoing investigation of the LA Clippers, their owner Steve Ballmer, and Kawhi Leonard relating to potential salary cap violations, which may overshadow the weekend festivities. With the game taking place at Intuit Dome, Ballmer’s newly built venue, this investigation could dominate discussions. — Bontemps
Key All-Star implications to understand
Amendments to the 2017 and 2023 Collective Bargaining Agreements have nearly removed financial benefits tied to All-Star selections. A rule from 2011 previously permitted first- or second-round picks to receive 30% of the salary cap in their second contract if they were named All-Star starters at least twice, but this is no longer criteria for the rookie supermax, meaning Wembanyama’s selection as a starter won’t affect his future contract.
Teams are increasingly avoiding including contract incentives, even unlikely bonuses, because they contribute to the apron. This past free agency period saw no player negotiate an All-Star bonus in their contract. Currently, seven players have All-Star incentives: Kevin Durant, RJ Barrett, DeMar DeRozan, Donte DiVincenzo, Aaron Gordon, Tyler Herro, and Domantas Sabonis. None of these players were named starters.
Out of the ten All-Star starters, Wembanyama and Brunson are the only ones not on max contracts. Wembanyama is currently in the third year of his rookie deal, while Brunson signed a favorable four-year, $156.5 million contract in 2024. Brunson’s agreement allowed New York to acquire Karl-Anthony Towns, extend Mikal Bridges, and stay below the second apron this season. — Bobby Marks
Projecting the remaining rosters
Utilizing Bontemps’ recent All-Star predictions, it appears that eight of the 14 remaining All-Star selections are virtually secured: Scottie Barnes, Jalen Duren, Jalen Johnson, and Donovan Mitchell in the East; and Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, Jamal Murray, and Alperen Sengun in the West.
This leaves six positions available, three in each conference. The spots up for grabs in the East should consider Karl-Anthony Towns from the struggling Knicks, a selection between Heat stars Norman Powell and Bam Adebayo, and two forwards with impressive stats on underperforming teams, the Nets’ Michael Porter Jr and the Pacers’ Pascal Siakam.
In the West, the discussions over the last spots will be more heated, with numerous deserving candidates such as Chet Holmgren (with lower totals but standout efficiency and defensive stats on the NBA’s top team), Devin Booker (the leader of the conference’s most unexpected contender), Most Improved Player candidate Deni Avdija, and two players with all-star-caliber statistics but limited appearances due to injuries (Kawhi Leonard and Austin Reaves), along with 21-time All-Star LeBron James, who might earn a legacy position despite lesser statistics and playing time this season.
As of now, my prediction for All-Star reserves—reflecting not necessarily my choices but who I believe will be selected—includes:
Eastern Conference:
Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets
Norman Powell, Miami Heat
Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
Western Conference:
Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
