The NBA has announced its 2026 All-Star reserves, revealing this year’s honorees on NBC ahead of the Knicks/Lakers matchup (Twitter links).
The following players will join the 10 All-Star starters the league announced on Monday, January 19.
Eastern Conference Reserves:
Guard: Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers)- Guard: Norman Powell (Heat)
- Frontcourt: Jalen Johnson (Hawks)
- Frontcourt: Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks)
- Frontcourt: Pascal Siakam (Pacers)
- Frontcourt: Scottie Barnes (Raptors)
- Frontcourt: Jalen Duren (Pistons)
The East will see three first-time All-Stars in Johnson, Powell, and Duren. Powell is averaging a career-high 23.0 points per game in his first season in Miami, while Johnson has emerged as one of the league’s most versatile point forwards on offense, averaging 23.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per night while hitting 36.0% of his threes. Duren is averaging 18.0 PPG and 10.7 RPG, and is the second-leading scorer on the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons.
Towns is having a down year from an efficiency standpoint but has managed to contribute in other ways, leading the NBA in rebounds per game (11.8) while scoring 20.0 points per game on 36.4% shooting from deep. He will join teammate Jalen Brunson, who was named a starter for the second straight year, while Duren will join running mate Cade Cunningham.
Western Conference Reserves:
- Guard: Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves)
- Guard: Jamal Murray (Nuggets)
- Guard: Devin Booker (Suns)
- Frontcourt: Chet Holmgren (Thunder)
- Frontcourt: Kevin Durant (Rockets)
- Frontcourt: Deni Avdija (Trail Blazers)
- Frontcourt: LeBron James (Lakers)
For the Western Conference, Murray, Holmgren, and Avdija are all first-time All-Stars. Murray had long been considered one of the league’s best players – if not the best – to never take part in the event, but will no longer hold that title. He’s having his best scoring (25.8 PPG) and play-making (7.4 APG) season as a pro, and has helped the Nuggets hold onto the No. 2 seed despite missing co-star and All-Star starter Nikola Jokic for 16 games.
Avdija has exploded for the Blazers this season, averaging 25.5 points per game (after scoring 16.9 PPG last season) while also contributing 7.2 RPG and 6.7 APG and leading Portland to what is currently a play-in spot.
Despite cooling off a bit since his scorching start, Holmgren is averaging 17.8 PPG, 8.7 RPG, and 2.0 BPG and has anchored Oklahoma City’s dominant defense all season, especially while starting center Isaiah Hartenstein faced an extended absence due to a calf injury.
Booker was named to the team after leading the overachieving Suns to a 30-19 record — they’re currently percentage points behind the Lakers for the No. 6 spot in the West.
James was named to his 22nd consecutive All-Star team despite having a down year by his own standards. He is currently averaging 21.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 6.6 APG for the Lakers, who are 29-18 coming into tonight’s game against the Knicks.
The Lakers, Knicks, Thunder, Pistons, and Nuggets are the teams with multiple players represented.
Some notable players not to make this year’s All-Star team include Michael Porter Jr., Kawhi Leonard, Bam Adebayo, Joel Embiid, Julius Randle, Lauri Markkanen, Brandon Ingram, and Alperen Sengun — they’re among the top candidates to become injury replacements.
As Ian Begley of SNY notes (via Twitter), the NBA’s decision to include a USA versus World component requires at least eight international players. Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Jokic, Avdija, Murray, and Siakam will make up a majority of the World roster, but with starter Giannis Antetokounmpo injured, the league will need to decide whether Towns, who suits up for the Dominican Republic in international play, as well as Powell, who played with Jamaica last summer, will be considered international or American players, Marc Stein observes (via Twitter). Either way, an injury replacement will need to be named for the Eastern Conference.
Stein adds that the NBA will announce the official roster breakdowns on Tuesday (Twitter link).
Jebron Lames!
LeBron? Oh please. Should we have Bronny too?
Could be his last season. President is already set with Kobe and Dirk making in their final years when they weren’t deserving.
*Precedent. The current president hates LeBron James.
What is the NBA equivalent of Shedeur Sanders making this team?
Siakam on the worst team.
Bronny James?
There are no players from the Hornets, the hottest team in the NBA, please show some respect.
LeBron over lauri markkanen. Bro stop.
Lauri on a bottom team. I know Siakam snuck in but that shouldn’t allow guys on bad teams free spots.
Lebron is on an average team as well too. Look at the record since he’s come back. They already had a lead in the beginning of the year. Bottom line is the numbers don’t meet or are better than him. If Lauri who was on the Lakers? The Lakers would be championship contenders with him as a third option. If LeBron was on the Jazz they would be even worse. Overall career it’s not even close. LeBron is better and for talking this year. LeBron is no longer an All-Star or an all NBA player anymore
Siakam plays on a team tied for the worst record. How is he an All Star? Did Embiid and Bam miss too many games? Over Giddey or Brandon Miller since positions don’t matter much.
Mobley over KAT would’ve been more sensible
Mobley has had a worse season that KAT. Both players regressed this season and have disappointed their teams.
Siakam over MPJ is a real injustice.. as is LBJ over Kawhi. Just absurd.
Siakam shouldn’t make it over Ingram either.
Don’t forget KAT somehow making it over Embiid whose scoring 30 a night again
I think Embiid missed too many games. People are getting tired of him.
Yea but that arguement doesn’t really hold weight when it comes to Embiid and Kawhi when Lebron gets in with similar amount of games played (2 more than Embiid/ 4 less than Kawhi). But the joke of a league was never going to end Lebron’s streak no matter how warranted. Jokic would have got in reserves as well playing similar amount of games if not voted in but at least that would have been warranted.
People can get tired of Embiid it means they either have no clue about basketball or haven’t watched the Sixers lately. The year after MVP season 23-24 before getting injured he was playing a level I never seen from any player in my 45 years on either side of the court – it was insane and then he got hurt and was not the same at the beginning of this year the really eased him in and he literally wasn’t even jumping to protect the knee but the last month+ is the first time hes looked like he used and hes like 70% but getting better and that is better than all but a few in the NBA and it is also leading to winning I think I heard that we are like 10 and 4 in the last 14 games he played and he hasn’t been missing much time.
There is no way Lebron should be in and Kawhi or Embiid out based on basketball alone including games played but this league will choke on Lebron’s you know what to the day he leaves the league. I guess with all the money he made them I get why but let’s not pretend these selections are about play on the court.
Respectfully, LeBron shouldn’t be an All-Star, but league politics will always take over… Kawhi Leonard, Lauri Markannen, James Harden, Keyonte George, Alperen Sengun, etc. were more deserving. KAT shouldn’t be a reserve either but it is what it is
The Clippers have been the league’s hottest team for over a month and get no one in the AS game. 🤦♂️
Harden and Leonard should have made it how could they not find find room for them
Devin booker and Chet Holmgren are suspect compared to them
Devin Booker the best player on a team that is 7 games ahead of the clippers is an easy pick over both of them.
so now they are voting James in on flops as he is the flop king
Everyone arguing LeBron but lowkey Chet is their worst player imo
Norman Powell also from the east no wayyyy
Glad for Norm and Jamal Murray.
Ingram should have made it too. It is what it is.
Mobley is deserving as is Bam who has really elevated his game and is an assertive and aggressive force on the court. He has become extremely difficult to guard with his vastly improved 3-point shooting and as arsenal of go-to moves.
Sengun indeed is the biggest international snub
Embiid, MPJ, Harden, Leonard not making it is so sad
If MPJ is not the injury replacement for Giannis there should be an investigation.
MPJ over Ingram???
I’m a NYK fan, and am disappointed to see KAT on this year’s team. Yes, his skill set is made for an NBA All Star game. No defense, no shot discipline, BB IQ optional. But its supposed to be a game(s) involving the best 24 players. He hasn’t been that this year.
Chet and LeBron definitely dont deserve it.
Orlando doesn’t have a single player from the organization involved in any part of ALL Star Weekend.
Paolo: has sucked this season (inconsistency and regression)
Franz: has missed too many games to be considered
DBane: hasn’t had a good enough season and hasn’t met expectations a little bit
Far out….. My James is being so amazing for us.
He is trying so hard to be the GOAT.