The 2026 NBA All-Star Game starters are officially set, and while the West is stacked with firepower, one name missing from the starting lineup is turning heads: Anthony Edwards. The Timberwolves’ franchise cornerstone came this close to locking in a starting spot, but ultimately lost out to Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama-by the narrowest of margins.
Both Edwards and Wembanyama ended up with the exact same weighted score in the voting process: 5.75. But the tiebreaker came down to fan votes, and that’s where Wemby edged him out.
Edwards finished seventh in fan voting among Western Conference frontcourt players, while Wembanyama landed in sixth. That tiny gap was enough to swing the final starter spot in the rookie sensation’s favor.
Let’s be clear-Edwards didn’t just have a case to start, he had the case. He’s been the engine behind Minnesota’s rise in the Western Conference, with the Wolves sitting in fourth place and very much in the thick of the playoff picture. Beyond the standings, Edwards is playing the best basketball of his young career and is firmly in the MVP conversation.
Through 34 games this season, Edwards is putting up a career-best 29.6 points per game while logging just over 35 minutes a night. He’s not just scoring in volume-he’s doing it efficiently, shooting 50.4% from the field and a scorching 41.8% from three. Add in 4.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, and you’ve got one of the most complete two-way guards in the league right now.
The good news? Edwards is almost certainly headed to his fourth straight All-Star Game once coaches select the reserve squad.
It’s hard to imagine a player with his résumé and impact being left off the team entirely. But missing out on a starting nod-especially by such a slim margin-has to sting a little.
As for the rest of the West’s starting five, it’s a who’s who of elite talent: Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokić, and Wembanyama. The East, meanwhile, will send out Cade Cunningham, Jaylen Brown, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jalen Brunson, and Tyrese Maxey.
Circle the date-February 15 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. The 2026 All-Star Game is shaping up to be a showcase of the league’s brightest stars.
And while Edwards won’t be in the opening lineup, don’t be surprised if he makes his presence felt in a big way once the game tips off. That’s just what stars do.