The 2026 NBA All-Star Game is less than two weeks away, and with the starters already announced, the league released the 14 reserve selections Sunday evening, a list that blends established stars with a wave of first-time All-Stars. This year’s showcase, to be played Feb. 15 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, will debut a new USA vs. World format, featuring three teams competing in a round-robin tournament of 12-minute games.
From the Eastern Conference, the reserves named by the coaches include Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Norman Powell of the Miami Heat, Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks, Pascal Siakam of the Indiana Pacers, Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors, Jalen Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks and Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons. Among these players, Powell, Johnson and Duren will be making their NBA All-Star debuts, reflecting breakout seasons that have propelled them into the spotlight.
In the Western Conference, the reserves feature a mix of seasoned stars and emerging standouts. LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers extended his own record with his 22nd All-Star selection as a reserve, while Kevin Durant of the Houston Rockets earned his 16th appearance. Joining them are Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns, Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets, Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Deni Avdija of the Portland Trail Blazers. Holmgren, Murray and Avdija will all be first-time All-Stars, a testament to their growing impact on winning teams.
The reserves will join a group of starters that includes perennial MVP candidates and international icons: Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, Stephen Curry, Victor Wembanyama, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown. That mix of established superstars and rising producers highlights both continuity and change in the NBA landscape.
What stands out in the reserve corps is how the game’s evolution is reflected in the selections. James and Durant represent the ongoing relevance of all-time greats, still earning accolades deep into their careers, while names like Duren, Johnson, Holmgren and Avdija signal a fresh class emerging off traditional breakout trajectories.
As always, the reserves announcement sparked conversation about snubs and selections, with several high-performing players notably absent, most notably Kawhi Leonard, but that debate is part of the All-Star ritual as much as the game itself. What’s clear is that the 2026 All-Star Game will feature a broad cross-section of talent, blending the league’s historic figures with its most dynamic rising stars in a format designed to showcase both.
