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NBA All-Star snubs: 10 players who should have made Eastern, Western conference rosters in 2026

With the NBA All-Star rosters completely set, there are always names that feel left out.

NBA fans take to the internet to voice their opinions on who they believe got snubbed.

For those who may be unaware, a snub occurs when a player performs exceptionally well in the first half of the season yet is not selected for the All-Star Game.

Given that only 12 spots are available per conference (totaling 24), numerous deserving players are frequently overlooked because of limited roster space, team win-loss records, or the favoritism towards veteran stars.

The Sporting News provides the biggest snubs for the 2026 All-Star Game.

MORE: NBA All-Star rosters 2026: Full list of reserves from Eastern and Western Conference

Eastern Conference snubs

Michael Porter Jr., F, Nets

Michael Porter Jr. is in the midst of a career-best season with the Brooklyn Nets.

The 6-foot-10 forward is currently averaging 25.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. Following his trade from the Denver Nuggets in July 2025, Porter has transitioned from a secondary role player to a primary scoring option in Brooklyn, resulting in a significant increase in his scoring average.

GP PTS FG% 3PT% FT% AST REB

38 25.6 48.2 39.8 85.1 3.2 7.3

Joel Embiid, C, 76ers

Joel Embiid is currently putting up an impressive 26.2 points, grabbing 7.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game for the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2025–26 regular season.

This season, Embiid's rebounding numbers have declined slightly from his career average, but his scoring remains outstanding.

GP PTS FG% 3PT% FT% AST REB

28 26.2 49.0 29.7 85.0 3.9 7.5

Josh Giddey, G, Bulls

As of February 1, 2026, Josh Giddey is achieving career-high averages of 18.6 points, 8.8 assists, and 8.6 rebounds per game for the Chicago Bulls.

Since his acquisition by the Bulls through a trade in June 2024, Giddey has established himself as a key playmaker, becoming one of only three players this season, alongside Nikola Jokić and Jalen Johnson, to sustain an 18/8/8 statistical line.

GP PTS FG% 3PT% FT% AST REB

34 18.6 46.2 36.6 77.5 8.8 8.6

Derrick White, G, Celtics

Across 46 games of the 2025-26 NBA season, Derrick White is averaging a career-high of 17.2 points per game while continuing to uphold his reputation as one of the premier defensive guards in the league.

White's offensive output has grown this season, but his efficiency has taken a bit of a dip compared to previous years.

GP PTS FG% 3PT% FT% AST REB

46 17.2 39.1 32.3 89.0 5.4 4.6

Brandon Ingram, F, Raptors

Brandon Ingram has averaged 21.9 points per game for the Toronto Raptors on fairly impressive shooting percentages.

Ingram remains one of the league's standout offensive forwards, currently ranked 24th in the NBA in scoring.

GP PTS FG% 3PT% FT% AST REB

48 21.9 47.2 36.1 83.3 3.7 5.9

Western Conference snubs

Kawhi Leonard, F, Clippers

Kawhi Leonard is having an exceptional 2025-26 NBA season, averaging a career-best 27.7 points per game and ranking 7th in the league. Despite ongoing knee issues that sidelined him multiple times in January, Leonard continues to perform at an elite level, leading the NBA in steals (2.1 SPG) and free-throw accuracy (93.6%).

Leonard is currently scoring much higher than his usual average of 20.4 PPG, thanks to his improved offensive output and efficiency.

GP PTS FG% 3PT% FT% AST REB

34 27.7 49.6 39.5 93.6 3.5 6.1

Lauri Markkanen, F, Jazz

Throughout the 2025-26 NBA season, Lauri Markkanen has been impressive, averaging a career-high 27.4 points per game and ranking 9th in the league.

On October 27, 2025, he achieved a memorable milestone, becoming the first Jazz player since Karl Malone to score over 50 points in a regular-season game, underscoring his incredible talent and impact.

GP PTS FG% 3PT% FT% AST REB

35 27.4 47.9 36.4 88.6 2.2 7.0

Alperen Şengün, C, Rockets

Throughout the 2025-26 NBA season, spanning 40 games, Alperen Şengün has been averaging a career-high 21.1 points per game for the Houston Rockets. Renowned for his versatile playmaking, he remains one of the league's leading passing big men, currently ranked 16th in the NBA in assists.

Şengün has become a key offensive outlet for Houston, consistently performing at a high level even as his usage increases.

GP PTS FG% 3PT% FT% AST REB

40 21.0 50.0 30.0 68.4 6.4 9.8

Keyonte George, G, Jazz

Over 47 games in the 2025-26 NBA season, Keyonte George has been truly spectacular, averaging a career-high 24.2 points per game and currently ranking 18th in the league. On January 20, 2026, he posted a career-high 43 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves, including six three-pointers.

In his third season, George has made a major breakthrough, raising his scoring average by almost 8 points from the previous year.

GP PTS FG% 3PT% FT% AST REB

47 24.2 45.9 37.7 89.3 6.6 4.0

James Harden, G, Clippers

James Harden is currently averaging 25.4 points per game, ranking him sixteenth in the league. He consistently sustains superior free-throw efficiency while functioning as the team's primary offensive contributor when Leonard misses.

Harden continues to be one of the top playmakers in the NBA, ranking 3rd in assists with 8.1 per game.

GP PTS FG% 3PT% FT% AST REB

44 25.4 41.9 34.7 90.1 8.1 4.8

MORE: NBA All-Star Game format explained

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