For the first time in 21 years, LeBron James won’t be starting the NBA All-Star Game. The league dropped the starter announcements, and James didn’t make the cut.
His All-Star streak is still intact, but the starting spot is gone. That run started in his second season and became one of the longest-running traditions in the league.
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The 2026 All-Star Game is set to take place on February 15 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. Fans handled half the voting, with media and players splitting the other half to pick the starters.
NBA All-Star Game starters
Eastern Conference
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Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (2nd All-Star selection)
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks (3rd)
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Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers (2nd)
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics (5th)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (10th)
Western Conference
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (12th All-Star selection)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (4th)
Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers (6th)
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (2nd)
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets (8th)
2026 NBA All-Star Game format
This year’s game looks different than before. The league is going with a USA versus the world format, with three teams of eight players each. Those teams will play in a round-robin style tournament.
Shaq’s OGs guard Stephen Curry (30) of the Golden State Warriors controls the ball against Chuck’s Global Stars guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
East and West starters will get split into the eight-player groups instead of sticking with traditional conferences.
NBA coaches still pick the All-Star reserves. If there aren’t enough domestic or international players to balance things out, commissioner Adam Silver will step in and finish the rosters.
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