The NBA has officially finalized the rosters and revealed the uniforms for the highly anticipated 2026 All-Star Game, where a fresh format will feature three teams competing in a round-robin tournament. This year, Team USA will be divided into two squads, while a third team will comprise international players, showcasing basketball talent from around the globe.
Scheduled for Sunday at the Los Angeles Clippers’ Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, the event aims to provide an exciting new twist to the traditional All-Star Game experience.
Ahead of this year’s game, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made headlines by moving Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns to Team World, which opened a final spot for Team USA. That vacancy was filled by Los Angeles Clippers’ forward Kawhi Leonard, who is enjoying a standout season and makes his seventh All-Star appearance this year, after having been previously overlooked for selection. Silver also added Alperen Şengün of the Houston Rockets to replace Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder, Brandon Ingram from the Raptors took the place of injured Stephen Curry, and De’Aaron Fox of the Spurs stepped in for Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. Injuries have indeed impacted the roster with Gilgeous-Alexander, Curry, and Antetokounmpo all ruled out.
In another noteworthy addition, Miami Heat’s Norman Powell, who has ties to Jamaica, was also moved onto Team World.
The roster breakdown includes two distinct groups for Team USA:
**USA Stars**
– Head Coach: J.B. Bickerstaff (Detroit Pistons)
– Players: Scottie Barnes, Devin Booker, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Anthony Edwards, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Johnson, Tyrese Maxey.
**USA Stripes**
– Head Coach: Mitch Johnson (San Antonio Spurs)
– Players: Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Brandon Ingram, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Donovan Mitchell, De’Aaron Fox, Stephen Curry*.
**World Team**
– Head Coach: Darko Rajaković (Toronto Raptors)
– Players: Deni Avdija, Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Pascal Siakam, Alperen Şengün, Karl-Anthony Towns, Victor Wembanyama, Norman Powell, Giannis Antetokounmpo*, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander*.
*Designates players who are unable to participate due to injury.
Fan voting played a crucial role in the selection of the players, contributing 50% of the total votes to determine each conference’s five starters, while NBA players and media made up the remaining percentages. Coaches took the responsibility of selecting the 14 reserves, including LeBron James who will make his 22nd consecutive All-Star appearance.
One unique aspect of this year’s format is the removal of positional requirements for the lineups, marking a significant shift in how the All-Star teams are composed during its nearly 75-year history.
The All-Star Game will consist of four 12-minute quarters, with each being regarded as an individual game. All three teams will compete twice, and the two teams with the best records will face off in a final “quarter” to determine the champion. A point differential will serve as a tiebreaker if all teams end up with the same record.
Visually stunning, the All-Star Game’s uniforms will feature a design inspired by Los Angeles’s culture and the Clippers’ color palette of navy blue, red, and pacific blue, reflecting the iconic style of the Intuit Dome. The game court design celebrates the home team’s architectural aesthetics and honors the city, which has hosted seven previous All-Star games.
This innovative approach to the NBA All-Star Game promises an exhilarating display of skill and competitiveness, reinforcing the league’s commitment to evolving its traditions while continuing to celebrate the game’s rich heritage.