At a Glance
- The NBA announced the 10 starters for the 2026 All-Star Game during the MLK Day quadruple-header
- Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokić topped the combined voting in their conferences
- The game will use a new U.S. vs. World format with two U.S. teams and one World team
- Why it matters: Fans get their first look at who will headline the revamped All-Star showcase airing Feb. 15 on NBC and Peacock
The NBA unveiled the starting lineups for the 2026 All-Star Game on Tuesday, locking in 10 marquee names who will headline the league’s mid-season showcase. The reveal came during the MLK Day quadruple-header broadcast on NBC and Peacock, setting the stage for a re-imagined tournament-style event next month.
Eastern Conference Starters
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo headlines the East roster with his 10th All-Star selection. He is joined by:
- Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics (5th appearance)
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks (3rd)
- Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (2nd)
- Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers (2nd)
Antetokounmpo finished as the top vote-getter among front-court players in the conference, according to the combined ballot totals released by the league.
Western Conference Starters
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić topped the West voting totals for his 8th All-Star nod. The West starting five features:
- Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (12th)
- Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers (6th)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (4th)
- Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (2nd)
Curry’s dozen selections extend his run as the most veteran All-Star in this year’s group.
How Starters Were Chosen
The league weighted three groups to decide the starters:
| Voting Group | Share |
|---|---|
| Fans | 50% |
| Current NBA players | 25% |
| Media panel | 25% |
The NBA published complete rankings showing Jokić and Antetokounmpo atop their respective conferences. Players who narrowly missed starting spots include Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards and Cleveland guard Donovan Mitchell.
New Format for 2026
This season’s All-Star Game will break from the traditional East-vs-West structure. Instead, the league will feature:
- Two U.S. teams
- One World team
- A round-robin tournament of four 12-minute games
The change aims to inject fresh energy into an event that has faced criticism in recent years for lackluster competitiveness.
Broadcast Details
All-Star Weekend will air exclusively on NBC and Peacock, marking the first time since 2002 that NBC has carried every event. Coverage includes:
- Slam Dunk Contest
- Three-Point Contest
- Skills Challenge
- The revamped All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026
What’s Next
Head coaches will now select seven reserves for each conference. Those names will be announced at a later date, rounding out the 24-player All-Star pool.
Key Takeaways
- 10 players are locked in as 2026 All-Star starters
- Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokić led their conferences in combined voting
- A new U.S. vs. World tournament format replaces the East-West model
- Every All-Star Weekend event returns to NBC for the first time in over two decades
