For the first time in his NBA career, Jaylen Brown is heading to the All-Star Game as a starter - and it couldn’t come at a more fitting moment.
The Celtics wing has been nothing short of electric this season, stepping into the spotlight while Jayson Tatum recovers from Achilles surgery. Now, he’s being recognized for that effort, earning one of the five starting spots for the Eastern Conference in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, set to take place in Los Angeles.
Brown joins a talented East starting five that includes Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, New York’s Jalen Brunson, Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, and Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey. It’s a group that reflects the changing face of the conference - rising stars, breakout seasons, and in Brown’s case, a veteran stepping into a leadership role and delivering at an elite level.
This marks Brown’s fifth All-Star selection, but it’s his first time being voted in as a starter - a nod to the leap he’s taken this year. At 29, he’s playing the best basketball of his career, leading Boston to the second-best record in the East and putting up numbers that demand attention. He’s currently fourth in the league in scoring at 29.7 points per game, trailing only Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Maxey.
And it’s not just about volume - it’s how he’s doing it. Brown has five 40-point games under his belt this season, including a clinical 50-point performance on the road against the Clippers on January 3. That game was a showcase of his efficiency and shot-making, the kind of performance that turns heads even in a league full of stars.
But his growth isn’t limited to scoring. Brown is also dishing out a career-high 4.8 assists per game and getting to the line more than ever before, averaging 7.3 free-throw attempts. Those numbers speak to a more complete offensive game - one where he’s creating for others, drawing contact, and controlling the tempo.
Out West, the All-Star starting lineup features Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Stephen Curry, and Victor Wembanyama. It’s a blend of established greatness and rising superstardom, much like the East’s group.
All-Star starters are chosen through a weighted system: 50% fan vote, 25% from players, and 25% from media. The coaches will select the reserves, which will be announced soon.
This year’s All-Star Game is also shaking things up with a brand-new format. Instead of the traditional East vs.
West, the league is rolling out a three-team, round-robin tournament. Two teams of American players and one international squad will face off in three 12-minute games.
The two teams with the best point differentials will advance to the All-Star championship.
It’s a fresh twist on the midseason classic, and with the way Brown is playing, don’t be surprised if he’s still making noise when the final buzzer sounds.