At a Glance
- Ten players named 2026 All-Star starters
- Giannis and Jokić topped combined fan-media-player voting
- Game shifts to U.S. vs. World round-robin format
- Why it matters: New format and NBC broadcast mark biggest All-Star overhaul in decades
The NBA unveiled its first batch of 2026 All-Stars on Tuesday, locking in ten starters for the Feb. 15 showcase that will air on NBC and Peacock.
Eastern Conference Starters
Giannis Antetokounmpo headlines the East squad with his 10th selection, joined by:
- Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics (5th appearance)
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks (3rd)
- Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (2nd)
- Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers (2nd)
Western Conference Starters
Stephen Curry leads the West with his 12th All-Star nod. The Golden State guard is flanked by:
- Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets (8th)
- Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers (6th)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (4th)
- Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (2nd)
Voting Breakdown
Starters were chosen through a weighted system:
- Fans: 50%
- Current NBA players: 25%
- Media panel: 25%
Jokić and Antetokounmpo finished atop the combined voting in their respective conferences. Just missing the cut were Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards and Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell.
New Format Debuts
The 2026 game scraps the traditional East vs. West setup. Instead, fans will see:
- Two U.S. squads
- One World team
- Round-robin tournament
- Four 12-minute games
All All-Star Weekend events, including the Slam Dunk and Three-Point Contests, will appear on NBC for the first time since 2002.
What’s Next
NBA head coaches will select seven reserves for each conference, with those results announced later. The complete rosters will then be divided into the new U.S. vs. World structure for the Feb. 15 tip-off.
