By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
LeBron James has secured a spot on the 2026 All-Star roster as a reserve, extending his record streak to 22 consecutive All-Star selections.
James, who missed his side’s first 14 matches of the 2025-26 campaign because of sciatica, has played 31 times this season and is averaging 21.9 points per game.
“It wasn’t a goal of mine to come into the season, miss the first 14 games and say, ‘OK, I can be an All-Star’,” James told reporters after playing in the Lakers’ 112-100 defeat against the New York Knicks.
“I just wanted to get back to playing the game at a high level I knew I was capable of once I kind of worked the rust off of missing pre-season, training camp and my summer workouts, which I’ve never done in my whole career.
“So,I didn’t think about the All-Star Game, to be honest.”
James was selected for the NBA All-Star game in 2025 but did not play because he picked up an injury.
Kevin Durant, who plays for the Houston Rockets, Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns and Anthony Edwards from the Minnesota Timberwolves were also selected as a Western Conference reserves.
The All-Star game has been revamped this season and will feature two teams of players from the United States and one team of international players.
They will compete in a round-robin tournament of four 12-minute games. The top two teams will then face each other in a championship game.
NBA All-Star Game 2026 rosters
Starters
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
- Jalen Brunson, Knicks
- Cade Cunningham, Pistons
- Tyrese Maxey, 76ers
- Jaylen Brown, Celtics
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
- Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
- Luka Doncic, Lakers
- Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
- Stephen Curry, Warriors
East reserves
- Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers
- Jalen Johnson, Hawks
- Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks
- Scottie Barnes, Raptors
- Norman Powell, Heat
- Pascal Siakam, Pacers
- Jalen Duren, Pistons
West reserves
- Jamal Murray, Nuggets
- LeBron James, Lakers
- Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
- Devin Booker, Suns
- Chet Holmgren, Thunder
- Deni Avdija, Trail Blazers
- Kevin Durant, Rockets.