2026 NBA All-Star Snubs: Who Missed the Cut Despite Stellar Seasons
The 2026 NBA All-Star rosters are officially locked in, and as always, a handful of deserving names are left on the outside looking in. With only 12 spots available per conference, every year brings tough decisions-and this year, some of the league’s top performers didn’t hear their names called.
Let’s break down the biggest snubs from both conferences, players who’ve been putting up numbers worthy of an All-Star nod but were edged out due to roster limits, team records, or the ever-present lean toward established stars.
Eastern Conference Snubs
Michael Porter Jr., F, Brooklyn Nets
Michael Porter Jr. is having the kind of season that usually gets you a ticket to the All-Star Game. Since arriving in Brooklyn after a July 2025 trade from Denver, Porter has flourished as the Nets’ go-to scorer.
He’s averaging a career-best 25.6 points per game, along with 7.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists. His shooting splits-48.2% from the field, nearly 40% from three, and over 85% from the line-are elite for a 6-foot-10 forward.
Porter’s evolution from a complementary piece in Denver to a primary option in Brooklyn has been one of the more compelling storylines this season. His omission from the All-Star roster feels less like a snub and more like a roster crunch casualty.
Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid might not be putting up the MVP-level numbers we’ve seen from him in the past, but he’s still one of the most dominant bigs in the league. Through 28 games, he’s averaging 26.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while shooting nearly 50% from the floor.
His rebounding has dipped a bit, but his offensive impact remains undeniable. When Embiid is on the floor, the Sixers are a different team.
He’s still a force in the paint and a matchup nightmare for just about anyone. Missing out on the All-Star Game this year may have more to do with availability than ability.
Josh Giddey, G, Chicago Bulls
Josh Giddey is putting together a quietly historic season in Chicago. Since being traded to the Bulls in June 2024, he’s become a triple-double threat every night. Giddey is averaging 18.6 points, 8.8 assists, and 8.6 rebounds-joining Nikola Jokić and Jalen Johnson as the only players this season sustaining an 18/8/8 line.
He’s doing it with efficiency too, shooting 46.2% from the field and 36.6% from deep. Giddey’s playmaking and rebounding from the guard position have been critical to the Bulls’ offense. If the All-Star Game is about rewarding all-around excellence, Giddey certainly checked the boxes.
Derrick White, G, Boston Celtics
Derrick White has long been known for his defense, but this season he’s added more scoring punch to his game. Averaging a career-high 17.2 points over 46 games, he’s become a more complete two-way guard.
White’s shooting efficiency has dipped a bit-just 39.1% from the field and 32.3% from three-but he’s still knocking down nearly 90% of his free throws and dishing out 5.4 assists per game. His defensive presence remains elite, and on a Celtics team with championship aspirations, he’s a key piece. It’s a tough omission for one of the best perimeter defenders in the league.
Brandon Ingram, F, Toronto Raptors
Brandon Ingram continues to be one of the league’s smoothest scorers, averaging 21.9 points per game while shooting 47.2% from the field and 36.1% from three. He’s currently ranked 24th in the NBA in scoring and has been a consistent offensive weapon for the Raptors.
While Toronto hasn’t made major noise in the standings, Ingram’s individual play has been strong. He’s also chipping in 3.7 assists and 5.9 rebounds per game, showing he can impact the game beyond just scoring. His All-Star snub likely comes down to team performance, but his numbers speak for themselves.
Western Conference Snubs
Kawhi Leonard, F, LA Clippers
Kawhi Leonard is putting up the best scoring numbers of his career-27.7 points per game, good for 7th in the league. He’s also leading the NBA in steals (2.1 per game) and free-throw percentage (93.6%). That’s elite two-way production.
Injuries have limited him to 34 games, but when he’s been on the floor, he’s been nothing short of dominant. Leonard’s efficiency-49.6% from the field and 39.5% from three-makes his scoring output even more impressive.
He’s not just back to form; he’s arguably better than ever. Leaving him off the All-Star roster feels like a miss.
Lauri Markkanen, F, Utah Jazz
Lauri Markkanen is having a monster year in Utah, averaging 27.4 points per game-9th in the league. He’s shooting nearly 48% from the field, 36.4% from beyond the arc, and 88.6% from the line. That’s elite efficiency for a 7-footer.
Back in October, Markkanen dropped over 50 points in a single game, becoming the first Jazz player to do so since Karl Malone. That kind of performance puts you in rare company. He’s been consistent, explosive, and efficient-everything you’d want from an All-Star forward.
Alperen Şengün, C, Houston Rockets
Alperen Şengün continues to establish himself as one of the most skilled big men in the league. He’s averaging 21.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game-numbers that put him in rare air as a passing center.
He’s played 40 games and shot 50% from the field, showing he can handle a heavy offensive load while maintaining efficiency. Şengün’s blend of scoring, rebounding, and playmaking has made him the engine of Houston’s offense. His All-Star case is as much about his unique skill set as it is about his numbers.
Keyonte George, G, Utah Jazz
Keyonte George is having a breakout third season, averaging 24.2 points per game-good for 18th in the league. He’s taken a big leap from last year, raising his scoring average by nearly eight points.
On January 20, he lit up the Timberwolves for a career-high 43 points, including six threes, in a performance that turned heads across the league. George has grown into a dynamic scoring guard, and his consistency this season makes him one of the more surprising snubs.
James Harden, G, LA Clippers
At 25.4 points per game, James Harden ranks 16th in the NBA in scoring. He’s also third in the league in assists (8.1 per game), continuing to serve as one of the top playmakers in basketball.
With Kawhi Leonard missing time, Harden has stepped up as the Clippers’ primary offensive engine. He’s still getting to the line at a high clip and converting with his usual efficiency. Harden’s All-Star résumé this season is hard to argue against-he’s producing at an elite level on both ends of the floor.
Final Thoughts
Every year, the All-Star Game selection process leaves deserving players out, and 2026 is no exception. Whether it’s due to limited spots, injuries, or team performance, these snubs remind us just how deep the talent pool is in today’s NBA. From rising stars like Keyonte George and Josh Giddey to veterans like Kawhi Leonard and James Harden still playing at an elite level, the All-Star conversation is as competitive as ever.
And if history tells us anything, these snubs often use the slight as fuel for even bigger second halves. Don’t be surprised if a few of these names make their presence felt loud and clear as the season rolls on.