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Tag: 2026 NBA All-Star Game

  • Alperen Şengün replaces Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s spot in NBA All-Star World Team

    Alperen Şengün replaces Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s spot in NBA All-Star World Team

    Alperen Şengün’s All-Star journey took an unexpected turn this weekend, but one that perfectly fits the arc of his rise.

     

    With Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sidelined by a strained abdominal muscle, the NBA turned to the Houston Rockets big man to help steady the World team for this season’s All-Star Game on February 15 in Inglewood, California. For Şengün, it means a second straight All-Star nod — and another historic marker for Turkish basketball.

     

    At just 22, Şengün has quietly evolved into one of the league’s most complete offensive centers. His season averages of 20.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 6.3 assists reflect more than production; they signal a player who now shapes games rather than simply finishing them. That versatility made him an ideal plug-in for the new U.S. vs. World format, where adaptability matters as much as star power.

     

    NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who selects injury replacements, tapped Şengün to fill Gilgeous-Alexander’s slot on the World roster — a move that rewards consistency over flash. It also places Şengün among rare company. 

     

    He is now just the second Turkish player to earn multiple All-Star selections, joining Mehmet Okur, who made his lone appearance in 2007.

     

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    This year’s All-Star showcase carries a different texture. Instead of a single exhibition, three teams — two representing the United States and one representing the World — will compete in a round-robin tournament. The top two will advance to the final, with each game lasting 12 minutes, mirroring the intensity of a single NBA quarter. It’s a format designed for urgency, and one that could highlight Şengün’s ability to make quick reads and impact possessions in bursts.

     

    Silver had already adjusted the roster last week by adding Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard to ensure the U.S. side met the minimum requirement of 16 players for the revamped setup. With Şengün now in the mix, the World team gains not just another scorer, but a hub — a player comfortable initiating offense, finding cutters, and carrying responsibility.

     

    For Şengün, the call-up is less about filling in and more about belonging. What began as a replacement nod now feels like confirmation: his ascent is no longer theoretical. He’s an All-Star again, not because of circumstance, but because his game demands the stage.

     

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  • LeBron James named 2026 NBA All-Star reserve, extends historic 22-year streak

    LeBron James named 2026 NBA All-Star reserve, extends historic 22-year streak

    The basketball world was taken by surprise when the National Basketball Association (NBA) officially announced its starters for the 2026 All-Star Game, set to be held at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Among the biggest talking points was the notable absence of LeBron James from the list of starters—marking the first time in 22 years that the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player was not voted in as an All-Star starter.

     

    The development initially led many fans and analysts to speculate that James’ remarkable streak of consecutive All-Star appearances had finally come to an end. However, those fears were quickly put to rest after the 41-year-old superstar was named to the Western Conference reserve pool, ensuring that his unprecedented All-Star run remains intact.

     

    With the selection, James extends his record streak to 22 consecutive All-Star appearances, further cementing his status as one of the most enduring and accomplished players in league history. He also becomes just the second player ever to earn multiple All-Star selections after turning 40, joining NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in an exclusive club that underscores his longevity and sustained excellence.

     

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    James’ continued presence on the All-Star stage is even more impressive given the challenges he faced earlier in the season. The four-time NBA champion missed the first 14 games of the 2025–26 campaign due to a sciatica issue in his back, forcing him to slowly work his way back into peak condition. While the early absence affected his overall counting stats, James has steadily regained form and rhythm as the season progressed.

     

    Over his last 24 games, the Los Angeles Lakers icon has averaged 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per contest, while shooting an efficient 52 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from beyond the arc. Those numbers reflect not only his scoring ability but also his continued impact as a playmaker and floor leader, even in his 21st NBA season.

     

    James’ All-Star résumé remains unmatched. He is the NBA All-Star Game’s all-time leading scorer with 434 points and has earned All-Star Game Most Valuable Player honors three times. Across 20 All-Star appearances, he owns career averages of 21.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. He has also served as an All-Star captain on eight occasions and leads all players in All-Star history in total points (434), field goals made (182), and minutes played (537).

     

    As the league celebrates another showcase of its brightest stars, James’ inclusion—starter or not—serves as a reminder that his influence on the game remains as strong as ever. Even as younger superstars continue to rise, the Lakers forward continues to defy age and expectations, proving that his place among the NBA’s elite is far from symbolic.

     

    Below is the full list of players selected for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game:

    2026 NBA All-Star Game Starters

     

    Eastern Conference

    • Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
    • Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks)
    • Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
    • Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons)
    • Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers)

    Western Conference

    • Luka Dončić (Los Angeles Lakers)
    • Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets)
    • Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
    • Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
    • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)

    2026 NBA All-Star Game Reserves

    Eastern Conference

    • Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers)
    • Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
    • Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks)
    • Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers)
    • Norman Powell (Miami Heat)
    • Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors)
    • Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons)

    Western Conference

    • Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
    • Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets)
    • Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder)
    • Kevin Durant (Houston Rockets)
    • Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
    • Deni Avdija (Portland Trail Blazers)
    • LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)

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  • LeBron James misses NBA All-Star starter spot for first time in 22 years

    LeBron James misses NBA All-Star starter spot for first time in 22 years

    For the first time in more than two decades, LeBron James will not be starting the NBA All-Star Game.

     

    When the NBA announced its starters on Monday for next month’s All-Star showcase at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, James’ name was notably absent—marking the first time in 22 years that the four-time MVP was not selected as an All-Star starter. The development adds a new wrinkle to what is already a historic season for the league, which will debut a World vs United States mini-tournament format aimed at revitalizing the midseason event.

     

    Despite missing out on a starting spot, James’ All-Star fate is not yet sealed. The 40-year-old superstar could still be selected as a reserve, with those spots determined by a vote among NBA head coaches. Additionally, NBA commissioner Adam Silver retains the authority to name injury replacements if needed. James was not named an All-Star during his rookie season in 2003–04.

     

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    The league announced 10 starters, five from each conference, though the term “starter” carries a different meaning this year due to the revised format. Among those selected were Giannis Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City, Nikola Jokić of Denver, Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers, and rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama of San Antonio. Those players are expected to represent the World team, which will face two squads comprised of U.S.-born players.

     

    The American contingent of starters includes Stephen Curry (Golden State), Jalen Brunson (New York), Cade Cunningham (Detroit), Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia), and Jaylen Brown (Boston). These players are expected to be split between two U.S. teams in a three-team, round-robin tournament scheduled for February 15. Each game will be played in a 12-minute format, with the top two teams advancing to a final, also lasting 12 minutes.

     

    James’ omission as a starter brings added attention to his evolving season. Now in his record-setting 23rd NBA campaign, James has already seen another remarkable streak come to an end. In December, his run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games scoring at least 10 points was snapped. He has also missed 17 games this season, putting his eligibility for postseason honors such as All-NBA selections in jeopardy under league participation requirements.

    James has been named to the All-NBA team 21 times in his first 22 seasons, including a second-team selection last year. His streak of 20 consecutive All-Star appearances ended last season when he declined to play due to foot and ankle injuries, though he was still selected.

     

    Meanwhile, the new generation of stars continues to embrace the moment. Gilgeous-Alexander, one of the newly announced starters, reflected on the significance of earning another All-Star nod.

     

    “It’s still as special as the first one was, honestly,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I grew up watching All-Star games as a kid, dreaming about playing in them. To be able to play in them will always have that same feeling. All the players that I looked up to, that I imitated my game after, played in those games, played on that stage. And for me to be able do so, it’s a blessing and an honor.”

     

    The NBA’s All-Star starters were determined using a weighted voting system, with fan ballots accounting for 50 percent of the total score. Votes from a 100-member media panel made up 25 percent, while current NBA players contributed the remaining 25 percent.

     

    The USA vs World concept has been discussed for years before finally becoming reality this season. League officials and the National Basketball Players Association formally unveiled the plan earlier this year as part of ongoing efforts to reinvigorate interest in the All-Star Game, which has faced criticism in recent seasons for its lack of competitiveness.

     

    With international players now among the league’s biggest stars—and often its most dominant—the new format reflects the NBA’s increasingly global identity. Whether it delivers the competitive spark the league is seeking remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the absence of LeBron James from the list of All-Star starters underscores a changing era in the NBA, even as his influence on the game remains undeniable.

     

    James’ ultimate inclusion in the All-Star festivities will be revealed when reserves are announced later this month, ensuring that, starter or not, his presence will continue to loom large over one of the league’s most anticipated annual events.

     

     

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