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THE 2026 NBA ALL-SNUB TEAM

From Paolo Banchero to Michael Porter Jr., here’s the list of almost NBA All-Stars

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (left) and guard James Harden did not make the NBA All-Star team despite the Clippers hosting the game at Intuit Dome this season. Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images

The Los Angeles Clippers will be hosting the 2026 NBA All-Star Game with no representatives playing.

The NBA announced its All-Star reserves on Sunday for the Feb. 15 game played at the Clippers home arena — the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. But despite having great statistical seasons and success of late, James Harden and Kawhi Leonard didn’t make the list. Meanwhile, the crosstown Los Angeles Lakers will have two-All Stars in LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

The NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles will feature a new “U.S. vs. World” format. Two teams of U.S. players and one team of international players will compete in four 12-minute games, with the top two teams advancing to a championship game. The reserves for both conferences, as selected by the respective conference coaches, were revealed Sunday.

Once again, Andscape presents its annual NBA All-Snub team, our squad of the most deserving players who didn’t make the cut.

Paolo Banchero, forward, Orlando Magic

FERNANDO MEDINA/NBAE VIA GETTY IMAGES.
Paolo Banchero (right) missed out on his second All-Star appearance.

Banchero is in the Top 25 in the NBA in points and rebounds per game while also averaging 4.9 assists entering Sunday. Those stats weren’t enough to be selected to the All-Star team for the second time. Perhaps Orlando’s 25-22 record and Banchero’s early games missed to injury played a role.

Desmond Bane, guard, Orlando Magic

Desmond Bane shoots against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 26 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. DAVID LIAM KYLE/NBAE VIA GETTY IMAGES

Bane has been a great addition for the Magic, averaging 19.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game this season. The snub, however, keeps Bane from making his first-ever All-Star appearance. Orlando’s far-from-stellar record probably had a role in the snub as well.

Joel Embiid, center, Philadelphia 76ers

Injurie have limited Joel Embiid (right) to just 28 games this season. MITCHELL LEFF/GETTY IMAGES

Embiid is averaging 26.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game this season. But what was likely held against Embiid was injuries limiting him to 28 games. It’s the second straight season that the seven-time NBA All-Star missed the All-Star team.

James Harden, guard, Los Angeles Clippers

James Harden missed the All-Star team for the fifth time in six seasons. ALEX GOODLETT/GETTY IMAGES

Harden entered Sunday ranked 17th in NBA in scoring at 25.4 points per game, along with 8.1 assists and 3.1 3-pointers made per game. The Los Angeles native, however, will miss being able to represent the Clippers at home. The 11-time NBA All-Star has failed to be named an All-Star in five of the past six seasons.

Brandon Ingram, forward, Toronto Raptors

Brandon Ingram (left) didn’t get to join teammate Scottie Barnes on the All-Star team this season. JOSHUA GATELEY/GETTY IMAGES

Ingram planned on bringing his rap star girlfriend GloRilla with him to Los Angeles had he been named an NBA All-Star for the second time. But after being snubbed, the celebrity couple will likely be heading somewhere else for vacation during the NBA All-Star break.

Ingram is averaging a team-best 21.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game for the Raptors this season. The Raptors also entered Sunday with tied for the Eastern Conference’s fourth-best record at 29-21. Even so, the East’s coaches decided that the Raptors only deserved one All-Star in forward Scottie Barnes.

Kawhi Leonard, forward, Los Angeles Clippers

Kawhi Leonard (left) is seventh in the NBA in scoring. LUIZA MORAES/GETTY IMAGES

Leonard has had a rebirth this season, averaging a Clippers-best and career high 27.7 points per game entering Sunday which ranked seventh in the NBA (Leonard also leads the NBA in steals per game and free-throw percentage). The six-time NBA All-Star has failed to be named an All-Star in four of the past five seasons. While the Clippers’ record didn’t help his cause, his stellar play was certainly snubbed by the coaches.

Lauri Markkanen, forward, Utah Jazz

Lauri Markkanen (left) missed out making the NBA All-Star World team. DAVID LIAM KYLE/NBAE VIA GETTY IMAGES

Markkanen entered Sunday ninth in the NBA in scoring, averaging 27.4 points per game. The Finland native could have been a great addition for the inaugural NBA All-Star World team. The 2023 NBA All-Star has not made the All-Star team in three straight seasons.

Michael Porter Jr., forward, Brooklyn Nets

Michael Porter Jr. is averaging career bests in points, rebounds and assists per game. AARON ONTIVEROZ/THE DENVER POST

Porter Jr. is averaging career bests of 25.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in his first season with the Nets. The Nets, however, didn’t help the newcomer’s cause with the third-worst record in the East. The Nets haven’t had an All-Star since Kevin Durant in 2022.

- Marc J. Spears

FIFA DEFENDS CLUB WORLD CUP TICKET SALES AMID LOW ATTENDANCE FIGURES

The Club World Cup has been played in the United States this year, with a number of the games seeing crowds of less than 10,000 people despite large stadiums being used

(Image: Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

FIFA has come out to defend the ticket sales for the Club World Cup amidst noticeably sparse attendance at a recent group stage match.

Only 3,412 spectators were present for the fixture featuring Ulsan HD of South Korea and Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa in Orlando, starkly fewer than the 22,317 fans who witnessed Chelsea’s kickoff against Los Angeles FC in Atlanta, hosted by a stadium with a 71,000 capacity.

This tournament has sparked controversy since its launch, leading to lawsuits from domestic leagues and players' unions against FIFA over claimed insufficient communication concerning fixture scheduling.

While some matches have drawn significant crowds – notably over 80,000 attending Paris St Germain's win over Atletico Madrid in Pasadena – FIFA announced on Tuesday that nearly 1.5 million tickets have been sold thus far.

According to FIFA, the initial eight matches drew an impressive 340,000 attendees, showcasing the broad global appeal of club football. The organisation highlighted that four out of the top five best-selling group stage games are yet to occur.

Manchester City is set to open their campaign against Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca on Wednesday evening.

There are substantial financial rewards up for grabs, with the potential for City or Chelsea to bag almost £100million if they claim victory in the tournament.

Despite these lucrative stakes, former Manchester City defender Danny Mills has labelled the competition as "pointless".

Speaking to William Hill Vegas, he shared his bafflement: "I don't get it and I don't understand what kudos it brings.

"It might be a nice day out for the minnows like Auckland City FC, but for players from the top clubs, like Paris St Germain, Real Madrid and Manchester City, at the end of their careers, they are not going to care if they won the Club World Cup or not.

"It's a made-up competition for FIFA to make money, it's as simple as that. There is no prestige in winning the competition whatsoever.

"I don't really know if many people are watching it but there doesn't seem to be much interest in the matches at all. It's an unnecessary tournament."

The FIFA Club World Cup will see 32 of the world's best club teams including Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich play across 63 games from June 14-July 13.

Fans can watch every match live and for free by signing up to DAZN.

- Husmukh Kerai & Jamie Gardner 

US MEN'S SOCCER TO PLAY BRAZIL ON JUNE 12 AT ORLANDO, FLORIDA

AP Photo 

 CHICAGO (AP) — The United States will play Brazil in an exhibition at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on June 12 ahead of the Copa América.

The game, announced Tuesday, follows a June 8 friendly against Colombia at Landover, Maryland. The matches are in a FIFA international fixture window, which means top Europe-based players will be available.

The Americans open the Copa América against Bolivia at Arlington, Texas, on June 23, play Panama four days later at Atlanta and close group play July 1 against Uruguay at Kansas City, Missouri.

Brazil plays Costa Rica or Honduras at Inglewood, California, on June 24, Paraguay at Las Vegas four days later and Colombia at Santa Clara, California, on July 2.

TUG-OF-WAR ADDED TO PRO BOWL GAMES SKILLS EVENT

USA TODAY Sports 

The tug-of-war will make its debut in the 2024 Pro Bowl Games skills competitions, the NFL announced.

The Pro Bowl Skills Show will take place in the Nicholson Fieldhouse at UCF in Orlando, Fla.

Teams of five players representing both the AFC and NFC will compete in a best-of-three format. This league's intent is likely to capture the attention of the offensive linemen, who may not be as willing to participate in the flag-football competition.

The tug-of-war will join "Madden NFL" head-to-head, gridiron gauntlet and move the chains events (offensive, defensive linemen strength and speed competition) is slated for Feb. 4.

Precision passing, best catch, closest to the pin, high stakes, dodgeball and a kick-tac-toe kicking competition are scheduled for Feb. 1.

--Field Level Media

COMENBOL REVEALS 14 HOST U.S. CITIES FOR.2024

 

Reuters 

Next year's Copa America will be held across 14 U.S. cities, culminating with the final at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said on Monday.

The first semi-final will be at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey with the other at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, while quarter-final action will be in Arlington, Houston, Las Vegas and Glendale.

CINCINNATI VS. ORLANDO CITY | MLS 2022