NBA All-Star Game snubs: Kawhi Leonard, Joel Embiid, James Harden, Alperen Şengün' don't make the cut

With Sunday’s announcement of NBA All-Star reserves, the full lineup is set for the Feb. 15 All-Star Game.

The lineups, of course, are stacked. But in a league with more than 24 players worthy of consideration, there are snubs — or perceived snubs, at least. This year’s list of players who didn’t make the cut features some All-Star regulars in the midst of standout seasons.

Los Angeles Clippers fans likely have more beef than any other fanbase. A dismal start to the season knocked the Clippers off the radar. And a 16-4 run since a 6-21 start wasn’t enough of a bounce-back to land the Clippers a single All-Star despite featuring two perennial All-Stars (when healthy) in the midst of standout seasons.

All-Star reserves were selected by NBA coaches after a mix of fan, player and media voting determined starters.

Kawhi Leonard

Injuries have limited six-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard to just one selection in the previous four seasons. Make that one out of five after Sunday.

The two-time Finals MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year and six-time All-NBA selection is having the best scoring season of his career with 27.7 points per game. He’s tied for the league lead with 2.1 steals per game and is the league’s best free-throw shooter at 93.5%. And he’s filling out the box score nicely with averages of 6.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 0.6 blocks.

But it wasn’t enough to crack a loaded roster of 12 NBA All-Stars from the Western Conference. As usual, his availability is likely a contributing factor. He’s been healthy by his own standards, but has missed 13 of the Clippers’ 47 games.

James Harden

Harden’s an 11-time All-Star selection and had a strong case for his 12th selection this season. With 25.4 points per game, he’s having his best scoring season since his 2019-20 campaign with the Houston Rockets in which won his third straight scoring title (34.3 ppg). Like Leonard, he’s effectively filling up the box score with 8.1 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.

Unlike Leonard, availability isn’t an issue for Harden, who’s played in 44 of the 47 Clippers games.

Did a slow Clippers start hurt James Harden and Kawhi Leonard's All-Star cases? — Did a slow Clippers start hurt James Harden and Kawhi Leonard’s All-Star cases?

(Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images)

Joel Embiid

Embiid is perhaps the only NBA star to rival Leonard for durability concerns. But when he’s been available this season, he’s flashed his former All-Star form with averages of 26.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 blocks per game.

He’s done so for a Philadelphia 76ers team that’s bounced back from a 24-58 campaign and back into playoff contention a 27-21. And he’s fit in as the roster transitions toward youth with Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe taking on starring roles. But he’s fallen off from his former MVP form. And playing in 28 of Philadelphia’s 48 games didn’t compel coaches to add him to the roster.

Alperen Şengün

While the above All-Star veterans have legitimate cases, Alperen Şengün’s may be the strongest of Sunday’s snubs. Şengün’s improved almost across the board from his breakout 2024-25 campaign that earned him is first All-Star bid with averages of 21 points, 9.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 1 block per game. All but his rebounding average represent career highs.

He’s also shooting a career-high 30% from 3 with two makes per game from long-distance. And he’s done so while adjusting well to playing alongside Kevin Durant for a 30-17 Rockets team that entered Sunday in fourth place in the West.

Michael Porter Jr.

Porter has transitioned from a strong contributor on a championship team to a stat-stuffer on a bad one. While stepping out of the shadow of Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray, Porter has thrived in the Brooklyn Nets spotlight with averages of 25.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game, all career highs.

He maintains one of the league’s best combination of length and shooting with a 39.8% success rate on a whopping 9.3 3-point attempts per game. Doing so for a 13-34 Nets team wasn’t enough to sway All-Star selectors.

Julius Randle

After struggling to fit in in his first season with the Timberwolves, Randle’s found his groove in his second season with Minnesota. Randle’s 18.7 points per game last season were his fewest since playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017-18.

He’s bounced back this season with 22.3 points, alongside 6.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game. His 49.3% success rate from the field is his best in seven seasons. But it’s not enough to earn him his fourth career All-Star selection.

Lauri Markkanen

After taking a step back amid injury last season, Lauri Markkanen is having arguably the best season of his career with averages of 27.4 points, 7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1 steal per game while shooting 36.4% on 7.9 3s per game.

But he’s doing so for a 15-34 Jazz team, which hurt his case for his second career All-Star bid.

Keyonte George

Third-year pro Keyonte George is having a breakout season with averages of 24.2 points, 6.6 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 37.7% on 6.8 3-point attempts per game. But like Markkanen, his case is hindered while doing so for a bad Jazz team.

George’s first All-Star selection will have to wait.

Who are you cutting?

As always with All-Star snubs, if you’re making the case for a player who missed the cut, you’ve got to find somebody to remove. There are only 24 roster spots for All-Stars.

The full All-Star rosters are listed below. Who gets the boot to make room for a snub?

Eastern Conference

(Starters in bold)

Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Milwaukee Bucks
Jalen Brunson, G, New York Knicks
Cade Cunningham, G, Detroit Pistons
Tyrese Maxey, G, Philadelphia 76ers
Jaylen Brown, F, Boston Celtics
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers
Norman Powell, Miami Heat
Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons

Western Conference

Nikola Jokić, C, Denver Nuggets
Luka Dončić, F, Los Angeles Lakers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G, Oklahoma City Thunder
Stephen Curry, G, Golden State Warriors
Victor Wembanyama, F, San Antonio Spurs
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

One or more of the perceived snubs could eventually hear his name called as an injury replacement. Antetokounmpo is dealing with a multi-week calf injury and almost certainly won’t play in the All-Star game. And other injuries between now and Feb. 15 could open up additional roster spots.

But for now, the above eight players will have to attend the All-Star game as spectators if they want to make the trip.