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

NBA ROUNDUP: THUNDER TOP MAGIC IN BATTLE.OF 2022 DRAFT TALENT

 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 37 points to lead the host Oklahoma City Thunder to a 112-100 win over the Orlando Magic on Saturday night.

The game marked the first regular-season matchup between the Magic's Paolo Banchero and the Thunder's Chet Holmgren, the top two picks in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Banchero finished with 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Holmgren, the No. 2 pick in the 2022 draft who missed last season due to a foot injury, had 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

Orlando cut what was a 16-point deficit to six on Cole Anthony's pullup jumper with 2:14 left in the game. Jalen Williams answered with a jumper on the next possession, sparking a 7-0 run for Oklahoma City, which has won four consecutive games and nine of its past 11.

Celtics 145, Rockets 113

Jaylen Brown scored a game-high 32 points and Jayson Tatum finished with 27 to help Boston defeat visiting Houston.

Brown made 11 of his 15 field-goal attempts and was 4-for-6 from 3-point territory. Tatum also had eight rebounds and five assists before he was ejected after his second technical foul with 10:17 to play. The Celtics improved to 19-0 at home.

Cam Whitmore came off the bench to score a team-high 22 points for Houston. Alperen Sengun finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

NBA ROUNDUP: 76ERS DOWN KINGS, MIAMI HEAT ESCAPED DEFEAT

Bam Adebayo hit a go-ahead jumper at the free-throw line with 18.8 seconds left, leading the host Miami Heat to a 99-96 win over the Orlando Magic on Friday night.

Magic star Paolo Banchero missed a short banker with 11.9 seconds left. He grabbed the rebound and missed a layup that would have put Orlando on top.

After two free throws by Miami's Haywood Highsmith, Banchero had a chance to send the game to overtime, but he missed a 3-poiner from the top of the key as the ball bounced off the back of the rim, ending the contest.

Banchero led all scorers with 25 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter. He also had eight rebounds and six assists. Orlando's Moritz Wagner scored 19 points off the bench. Miami's Duncan Robinson scored a team-high 23 points. Adebayo added 21 points and 11 rebounds.

76ers 112, Kings 93

Tobias Harris scored a season-high 37 points to lift host Philadelphia past Sacramento.

Harris, who sank 14 of 25 shots from the floor, finished two points shy of tying his career high. Tyrese Maxey added 21 points as the Sixers snapped a three-game losing streak.

Philadelphia improved to 3-7 without reigning MVP Joel Embiid, who remains out with a swollen left knee. De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 21 points, and Domantas Sabonis added 14 points, 12 rebounds and five assists. Sacramento had won its previous two games and four of the past five.