Key Takeaways:
- The NBA All-Star Game starters have been announced, with five players from the Eastern Conference and five from the Western Conference selected.
- The Eastern Conference starters include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown.
- The Western Conference starters include Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Stephen Curry, and Victor Wembanyama.
- The NBA All-Star Game will feature a new format, with two USA teams and one World team competing in a round-robin tournament.
- The game will take place on February 15, 2026, at 5 p.m. Eastern, and will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
Introduction to the NBA All-Star Game Starters
The votes are in, and the fans have spoken. The NBA All-Star Game starters have been announced, with five players from the Eastern Conference and five from the Western Conference selected. The starters were chosen through a combination of fan votes (50% of the total), votes from NBA players (25%), and select media (25%). The Eastern Conference starters include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown, while the Western Conference starters include Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Stephen Curry, and Victor Wembanyama.
Eastern Conference Starters
The Eastern Conference starters are a talented group, with each player having a strong case for selection. Giannis Antetokounmpo, despite his team’s struggles, led all Eastern Conference vote-getters and is averaging 28.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. Jalen Brunson is having another outstanding season, averaging 28.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 3.0 three-pointers per game. Cade Cunningham is a key reason why the Detroit Pistons have been the class of the Eastern Conference, averaging career-highs in assists (9.6) and steals (1.5), as well as 25.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.0 three-pointers per game. Tyrese Maxey is having a breakout season, averaging career-highs in points (30.3), rebounds (4.4), assists (6.7), steals (1.9), blocks (1.0), and three-pointers (3.7) per game. Jaylen Brown is a major reason why the Boston Celtics have remained competitive despite injuries, averaging career-highs in points (29.7) and assists (4.8) per game.
Western Conference Starters
The Western Conference starters are equally impressive, with each player having a strong case for selection. Nikola Jokić is the consensus "Best Player in the World" and is putting up MVP numbers, averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11 assists per game. Luka Dončić is leading the NBA in scoring, averaging 33.3 points per game, and is also averaging 8.6 assists and 7.5 rebounds per game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is arguably the best player in the NBA right now, averaging 31.8 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game. Stephen Curry is still bringing it at age 37, averaging 27.6 points per game and shooting 38.6% from three-point range. Victor Wembanyama is one of the top players in the league on both ends of the court, averaging 24.5 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game.
Selection of All-Star Game Reserves
Now that the fans have had their say, it falls to the coaches around the league to select the seven reserve players from each conference. The results of the vote and the names of the remaining NBA All-Stars will be announced on February 1, 2026, on NBC. The starters and reserves will then be divided into three teams as part of a new USA vs. World All-Star Game format.
New All-Star Game Format
The NBA All-Star Game will feature a new format, with two USA teams and one World team competing in a round-robin tournament. The 24 All-Star players will be divided into three teams, with each team having a minimum of eight players. The teams will compete in four 12-minute games, with the two top teams playing a championship game for the title. The new format is designed to add more excitement and competition to the game, and to showcase the talents of the league’s top players.
All-Star Weekend Schedule
All-Star weekend will tip off on February 13, 2026, with the Rising Stars game at the Intuit Dome at 6 p.m. PT, featuring the league’s top first- and second-year players. The NBA All-Star Celebrity Game will also take place on February 13, featuring stars from media, sports, and entertainment at the Kia Forum. The fifth annual NBA HBCU Classic will take place at the Forum at 8 p.m. that night. On Saturday, February 14, All-Star Saturday night will feature the Skills Challenge, 3-point Contest, and the Dunk Contest at the Intuit Dome. The 75th NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 5 p.m. Eastern, leading into more coverage of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
How to Watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock
The NBA on NBC and Peacock will feature a range of games and programming throughout the regular season. Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week, while Coast 2 Coast Tuesday will present doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on February 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, fans can click here.