Joel Embiid Left Out Again as Brandon Ingram Replaces Injured Steph Curry for All-Star Game
Another All-Star nod, another noticeable absence - and once again, it’s Joel Embiid on the outside looking in.
With Steph Curry sidelined due to a lingering knee injury - one that’s kept him out since Golden State’s recent matchup with the Sixers - the NBA needed a replacement for the All-Star Game. On Monday night, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr confirmed that Curry would remain out through the All-Star break. The league responded by selecting an Eastern Conference player to fill the void, ultimately choosing Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram.
It’s a return to the All-Star stage for Ingram, who last suited up for the event during the 2019-2020 season. The veteran forward has quietly put together a strong campaign in Toronto, and his selection adds another chapter to an already solid résumé. But while Ingram gets the call, the conversation around who didn’t make it is just as loud - and in Philadelphia, it’s deafening.
Embiid’s Omission Raises Eyebrows Again
For Sixers fans, this is starting to feel all too familiar. Joel Embiid, a perennial All-Star and reigning MVP candidate in recent years, has now been snubbed for the second straight season. After making the All-Star roster seven years in a row, Embiid’s streak ended in 2025 - and now, despite putting up strong numbers again, he’s been passed over once more.
Let’s be clear: Embiid hasn’t had a clean bill of health this season. He missed time earlier in the year and had his minutes carefully managed at the start of the schedule. But even with those limitations, he’s played in 31 games and posted averages of 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists - numbers that, for most players, would be enough to secure a spot in the league’s midseason showcase.
And it’s not just the stats. When Embiid is on the floor, he still looks every bit like one of the most dominant big men in the game.
His presence anchors the Sixers on both ends, and his offensive skill set remains unmatched among centers. The footwork, the touch, the ability to stretch the floor - it's all still there.
The Process Still Polarizing?
There’s always been a bit of a complicated relationship between Embiid and the broader NBA audience. From the early days of “The Process” to his social media antics and playful trash talk, Embiid has never been afraid to be himself - and that’s rubbed some the wrong way. Whether that’s played a role in his recent All-Star snubs is anyone’s guess, but the frustration among Sixers fans is real.
This latest omission adds fuel to the fire. For a player of Embiid’s caliber to be left off the roster - especially when a replacement spot opens up - is bound to spark debate. And while Ingram is certainly deserving in his own right, it’s hard to ignore the optics of Embiid, one of the league’s most impactful players, not suiting up for the All-Star Game two years running.
Looking Ahead
With the All-Star break approaching, Embiid will have time to rest, reset, and refocus for the second half of the season. And if history is any indication, he’ll use this snub as motivation - just as he has in the past. The Sixers will need him at full strength as they gear up for a playoff push, and Embiid has never been one to shy away from a challenge.
For now, though, the All-Star Game will go on without him. Again. And in Philadelphia, that’s a tough pill to swallow.