The 2025-26 NBA season is heating up, and with the All-Star break just around the corner, the spotlight is starting to shift toward the league’s marquee midseason event. This year’s All-Star Game is set to bring something a little different to the table-and Donovan Mitchell is making it clear where he wants to stand when the lights come on.
The Cleveland Cavaliers guard, who’s been making noise both on and off the court, recently voiced his desire to suit up for Team World in the upcoming All-Star festivities. “I don’t think people look at me as like a Panamanian basketball player.
But I do. I would love to be on the World team if I got a chance,” Mitchell said.
It’s a bold and personal statement from Mitchell, who has Panamanian heritage and clearly wants to represent that side of his identity on one of the league’s biggest stages. With the All-Star rosters once again being shaped by a blended voting system-fans making up 50% of the vote, and players and media splitting the remaining 50%-Mitchell’s chances could hinge on both his play and his popularity.
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game will feature a round-robin tournament format and will tip off on February 15 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, the new home of the Los Angeles Clippers. It’s a fresh approach for the league and one that could shake up the usual East vs.
West or Team LeBron vs. Team Giannis dynamic we’ve seen in recent years.
Mitchell’s comments come on the heels of a big win for the Cavaliers, who edged out the Philadelphia 76ers in a tightly contested 117-112 battle at the Wells Fargo Center. And while Mitchell had a strong showing-just one rebound shy of a triple-double with 13 points, 12 assists, and nine boards-it was Jaylon Tyson who stole the show.
Tyson, in just his second year in the league, dropped a career-high 39 points in 38 minutes, adding four assists and five rebounds while taking on the defensive challenge of guarding Tyrese Maxey for much of the night. It was the kind of performance that turns heads-and Mitchell made sure to give him his flowers after the game.
“That kid. Wow.
That kid is different,” Mitchell said postgame. “Obviously, as a collective, we did what we needed to do.
We weathered the storm… every single person stepped up… led by him. He needs to be in the Most Improved category.
He needs to win the award. No one else is doing this in their second year.
This is special. I mean, he is the reason we won the game.
To do that and guard Tyrese Maxey for 48 minutes, that’s a special kid. I’m so happy for him.
Wow. Wow.
That’s crazy.”
It’s high praise from one of the league’s most respected voices-and it’s not unwarranted. Tyson’s emergence has been a huge boost for a Cavaliers team currently sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 24-19 record. His development, paired with Mitchell’s leadership and playmaking, has helped Cleveland stay competitive in a crowded playoff race.
Next up, the Cavaliers will face the Oklahoma City Thunder at Rocket Arena. With momentum on their side and young talent stepping up in big moments, Cleveland is starting to look like a team that could make some real noise down the stretch.
And if Mitchell gets his wish, he might be doing a little more than just leading the Cavs-he could be proudly repping Team World on All-Star weekend, too.