The NBA has set the rosters for the 2026 All-Star Game, introducing a new USA vs. World format featuring three teams in a round-robin tournament. De'Aaron Fox replaces the injured Giannis Antetokounmpo on the USA Stripes team, while Brandon Ingram and Alperen Sengun fill in for Stephen Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, respectively. The event takes place on February 15 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game adopts a fresh format this year, dividing 24 players into three teams: USA Stars, USA Stripes, and Team World. The tournament consists of four 12-minute games in a round-robin style, with the top two teams advancing to a championship matchup. Point differential resolves any ties.
Injuries have reshaped the lineups. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, sidelined by a right calf strain suffered on January 23, is replaced by San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, out with a right knee injury, gives way to Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, dealing with an abdominal injury, is substituted by Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun on Team World.
To balance the rosters, Miami Heat guard Norman Powell, a Jamaican national team player born in San Diego, moved from USA Stripes to Team World. Karl-Anthony Towns, born in New Jersey but representing the Dominican Republic, also joins Team World.
USA Stars features younger American talents like Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Maxey, and Anthony Edwards. USA Stripes includes veterans such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Kawhi Leonard. Team World boasts international stars including Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, and Victor Wembanyama.
The game tips off at 5 p.m. ET on February 15 at the Clippers' Intuit Dome, broadcast on NBC and Peacock. Winning team players receive $125,000, second place $50,000, and third $25,000.
De'Aaron Fox, averaging 19.4 points per game, expressed indifference to his initial All-Star snub last week, stating, “So, couldn’t care less.” Victor Wembanyama emphasized competitiveness: “I’m never stepping onto the court to lose.”
All-Star Weekend runs February 13-15, including Rising Stars, 3-Point Contest, and Slam Dunk Contest.
