Victor Wembanyama holder, LeBron James not retained, unlike Stephen Curry… The starters for the 2026 All-Star Game, which will take place in Los Angeles, were revealed on Tuesday, without much surprise or scandal. But who will now be the 14 replacements (minimum) revealed on February 1?
The changes in formula and the first attempt at a “United States” tournament against “Rest of the World” have reshuffled the invitation cards for the all-star game. If there are no longer any position restrictions, other criteria must still be respected for the choice of replacements.
After the two fives from the East and the West, seven replacements will be selected by the coaches in each of the two conferences. These 24 players will then be divided into three teams of eight players minimum, two teams of American players (the terms of distribution in these two teams have not yet been announced…), one of players from the “Rest of the world”. If there is a shortage of American or international players, Adam Silver will then name the missing member(s). Potentially, there could therefore be more than 24 All-Stars…
After the announcements of the starters for this 2026 All-Star Game, eleven players are missing to make up the “US 1” and “US 2” teams compared to only three for the rest of the world team.
US 1 et US 2 : Stephen Curry – Cade Cunningham – Tyrese Maxey – Jalen Brunson – Jaylen Brown
Rest of the world: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Luka Donciic – Giannis Antetokounmpo – Victor Wembanyama – Nikola Jokic
Here is what the list of replacement players could look like.
Their presence seems assured
Arrived tied with Victor Wembanyama in the cumulative voting categories, Anthony Edwards should be one of the first names checked off by league coaches. The Wolves guard has once again passed a milestone in scoring and efficiency (from 27.6 points at 44.7% including 39.5% at 3-points in 2024/25 to 29.9 points at 49.9% including 41.3% from distance) within a competitive Western team. His status as the new face of the league adds to the evidence.
The same goes for Donovan Mitchell. The Cavaliers guard was the sixth pick in the East for players, the public and the media. If Cleveland is not at the expected level, it can hardly be held responsible (28.9 points at 48.3%, 4.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.5 interceptions).
His figures are perhaps a little less flashy, but Kevin Durant should take part in his 16th career All-Star Game. The Rockets winger is playing at his standards (25.9 points at 51.1% including 39.5% at 3-points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.6 rebounds) and leads a Top 4 team in his conference.
Remaining places: East 6, West 5 / US 8, Rest of the World 3
They should be there
There are still places to be taken in the East, and several candidates stand out quite clearly. Making serious offensive progress within the surprise leader of the first part of the season, Jalen Duren (17.8 points at 63%, 10.9 rebounds) should receive many votes. Provisional fourth and just as unexpected, Toronto should be rewarded with at least one player present. This should be a priority Scottie Barnesauthor of a very good first part of the season in spheres very similar to those of his only selection in the All-Star Game so far (19.8 points at 50.4%, 8.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.4 interceptions, 1.3 blocks).
If he is not as productive as last season (20.8 points at 46.9%, 11.5 rebounds, 3 assists), which earned him a starting position in 2025, Karl-Anthony Towns should accompany Jalen Brunson as a member of the Knicks. Finally, Jalen Johnson established himself this season as a possible star in Atlanta in the absence of Trae Young, injured and then traded. The winger has seven triple-doubles (23.2 points at 51.1%, 10.3 rebounds, 8 assists), making him the runner-up to Nikola Jokic in the field.
In the West, however, there is more jostling. There could be five for four places, with a strong international tendency. Boosted by the fan vote and seventh in the holders’ vote, Deni Avdija (Blazers) could be one of the new call-ups this season. The winger is impressive with his versatility (26.2 points at 47%, 7.1 rebounds, 6.9 assists) and brings Portland to a balanced record. No balance sheet problem either for Chet Holmgren (Thunder), Alperen Sengun (Rockets) et Jamal Murray (Nuggets).
The first would serve as the second representative of the Thunder, a place justified by his offensive progress to compensate for the absence of Jalen Williams (17.8 points at 57.2%, 8.4 rebounds). Alperen Sengun would be called up for his second All-Star Game in a row, after having further raised his level of play (21.5 points at 51.1%, 9.3 rebounds and 6.4 assists). Jamal Murray would be selected for the first time, after having been close to achieving it several times in recent seasons.
The Canadian, starting on the basis of his best career season (26 points at 48.9% including 44.9% at 3-points, 7.4 assists), may however fear being left behind again while the West is already well represented. Because Devin Booker would also deserve a selection both for his individual performances (25.3 points at 45.3%, 6.3 assists) and for the results of the Suns, much more attractive than one could have imagined after the transfer of Kevin Durant (6th, 27 victories – 17 defeats).
Remaining places: East 2, West 0 / US 3, rest of the world 0
They are in balance
For the contenders in the West, the horizon is already blocked. It would take one, or even several, absences to hope to be called in for reinforcement. This means that the All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome could be played without a Clippers player, despite the exploits of Kawhi Leonardor even James Harden. However, the first has a chance of being called in as reinforcements if American players are missing…
However, he signed his best statistical season of his career (28.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and best interceptor in the league with 2.2 stolen balls) but paid for the results of the Clippers, who have just returned to the play-in zone after a completely missed start to the season, and his 13 games spent in the infirmary. Another credible candidate but a little too short, Austin Reaves (Lakers) is clearly playing at an All-Star level (26.6 points at 50.7%, 5.2 rebounds, 6.3 assists), but he seems a step below the other candidates, especially with two teammates potentially already selected.
The last two places should be a close battle and there is no shortage of strong entries. All-Star in his second season and absent last season due to injury, Paolo Banchero is perhaps the flashiest name of the players still in the running. The power forward, however, is not as dominant as in the last two seasons (five points per game less than in 2024/25), and Orlando is blowing hot and downright lukewarm. Can Toronto and Cleveland take a second player to Los Angeles? Brandon Ingram (Raptors) is having a great season, but does he have the makings of an All-Star? As for Evan Mobley (Cavaliers), can its new status in the league acquired last season be enough to surpass the Cavaliers’ average results and its stagnation? Unless Derrick White invites himself to salute the beautiful Boston countryside?
A little further down the hierarchy, the Heat could hope to count Norman Powell or Bam Adebayo among those called up, but the too “one-dimensional” scoring profile of the back (23.7 points) and the correct individual season without more from the inside could be insufficient in the face of a lackluster collective record. The same goes for Pascal Sakakwhich is running at numbers similar to those of his best years with the Raptors but with the red lantern of the Eastern Conference, Indiana.
When it comes to production, the two most serious issues are perhaps those of Michael Porter Jr. and of Josh Giddey. MPJ explodes with more responsibilities among the Nets (25.3 points at 48.1% including 39.6% at 3-points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists) but Brooklyn’s results (12 victories in 42 games) do not speak in his favor. It’s a little better for Josh Giddey in Chicago (21-22), but won’t the lack of attractiveness of the Bulls penalize the Australian leader too much, despite being close to a triple-double average (19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, 9 assists)?
LeBron James married him
Absent from the starting five for the first time in 21 appearances, LeBron James can he be completely absent from the debates? The end of an era would be highly symbolic, especially in Los Angeles. This season confirms his relative statistical decline – the second least productive of his career after his rookie year (22.5 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists) – and especially physical with 17 games missed out of 42 and playing time monitored. Is that enough to rule him out of a replacement spot?
The best scorer in history remains a major player, with All-Star statistics, within one of the teams with the best record at mid-season. And his aura remains intact within the NBA microcosm, while he finished eighth in the players’ vote for the starting places. It remains to be seen what the coaches will decide…
Our selections
US 1 et US 2 : Stephen Curry – Cade Cunningham – Tyrese Maxey – Jalen Brunson – Jaylen Brown | Anthony Edwards – Donovan Mitchell – Kevin Durant – Jalen Duren – Scottie Barnes – Jalen Johnson – Chet Holmgren – Devin Booker – Michael Porter Jr – Norman Powell – Kawhi Leonard
Rest of the world: Shai Gilgeous-Alexeder – Loat Donis – Anthunist Antomompool – Vickor Vehimbuary – Victila Jokic’s. Thus Alpdija – Alperent Young – Nyar-Anthoy Towns – Jama Muray of Murany
Worth a look
