NBA All-Star Rosters and Snubs
Nicolas Margarit
Staff Writer
The 2026 rosters for the NBA All-Star Game were revealed with a lot of fuss—and even more debate. The NBA announced their initial starting lineup before revealing their reserve players on February 1, which sparked discussions between fans and critics about the player selection process.
One of the biggest talking points was the selection of LeBron James as a reserve. LeBron has continued to play at an elite level while being 41 years old, so he extended his All-Star streak to 22 appearances, establishing a new record that proves his skills are not defined by his age. Even so, analysts were surprised by his inclusion over some younger breakout stars, especially given how much time he missed earlier in the season, fueling debates about whether legacy plays a role in selections.
The reserve pool also included Kevin Durant and Donovan Mitchell, who earned spots because of their consistent All-Star caliber performance. The first-time selections of Jalen Duren, Jalen Johnson, Chet Holmgren, and Jamal Murray brought refreshing excitement to roster discussions, solidifying their value as top players in the league.
But for every player who got in, there was an equally notable omission. Kawhi Leonard was one of the most unexpected exclusions, given his two-way impact during the Clipper’s strong late season run. Meanwhile, Houston Rocket Alperen Şengün received no All-Star recognition despite major defensive improvement and excellent statistical production this season. Social media users supported this perspective because they believed the Rockets deserved better recognition from voters and analysts.
James Harden was another notable snub, becoming one of the many experienced veterans that produced a strong season that failed to be awarded with an All-Star selection. Media analysts believed that multiple teams with qualified players failed to get proper respect because of the extremely competitive landscape of the league, and the limited roster spots. In many cases, a few extra wins, a slightly healthier stretch, or one viral national-TV performance could have flipped the outcome. Instead, those razor-thin margins created a list of players who will carry a chip on their shoulder for the rest of the season.
Contact Nicolas at margarn1@shu.edu