The NBA All-Star Game is headed to Los Angeles next month, and it’s bringing more than just star power-it’s debuting a fresh twist on the format. In a move that’s already generating buzz, the league is rolling out a new structure that pits Team World against not one, but two Team USA squads.
And at the heart of Team World? Two of the game’s most dynamic international stars: Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic.
Doncic and Jokic have become All-Star weekend staples, not just for their elite talent, but for the easy chemistry and off-court camaraderie they bring. Whether it’s sharing laughs, pulling pranks, or dazzling fans with their unique blend of skill and flair, these two have made the midseason showcase feel like their personal playground.
Now, with the new Team World format, the Dallas Mavericks guard and Denver Nuggets big man are set to link up once again-if health permits. Jokic is still working his way back from a knee injury that’s already sidelined him for 15 games. Originally ruled out for four weeks, the reigning three-time MVP appears to be on an extended recovery timeline, putting his All-Star status in doubt.
Reporter: What do you think about you and Nikola being starters together at the All Star game?
— Luka Updates (@LukaUpdates) January 27, 2026
Luka: Amazing, yes. I think everyone knows what kinda friend Nikola is. That is great. We will be in LA so we will probably spend time off court together. pic.twitter.com/PPXFjafzzs
Doncic, for his part, is clearly looking forward to the reunion. “Amazing, yes,” he said when asked about teaming up with Jokic again.
“I think everyone knows what kind of friend Nikola is. That is great.
We will be in LA, so we will probably spend time off the court together.”
The two previously suited up for Team LeBron in 2023 and were Western Conference starters in 2024. But last year, Doncic missed out on All-Star honors due to a calf injury that kept him out for a significant stretch of the season. This year, he’s back in the mix and, assuming Jokic can’t go, he’ll still have no shortage of firepower around him.
Team World is stacked. Alongside Doncic are names like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Victor Wembanyama-each one bringing a different flavor to the international showcase.
Gilgeous-Alexander has been carving up defenses all season with his smooth, deliberate pace. Giannis remains a force of nature in transition and in the paint.
And Wembanyama? He’s still writing the first chapters of what looks like a generational career, but his presence alone changes the geometry of the court.
Even without Jokic, this group has the potential to put on a show. The new format gives the NBA a chance to highlight the global reach of the game, and it gives fans a chance to watch some of the world’s best players-many of whom didn’t grow up dreaming of the NBA, but are now redefining it-share the floor.
It’s a celebration of basketball’s evolution, and if Doncic has his way, it’ll be as fun off the court as it is on it. Whether Jokic is healthy enough to join him remains to be seen, but the bond between the two stars-and the growing strength of international talent in the league-is already something worth watching.