NBA All-Star reserves: Announcement date, nominees, timings for all region, and more

The NBA's 2026 All-Star starting lineup has recently been revealed live on NBC on Monday, following a vote by fans, players, and certain media. However, in a shocking turn of events, LeBron James was not chosen as one of the first five for the first time in 21 seasons. Nevertheless, he still has the opportunity to continue his unprecedented run of straight All-Star selections.

Over his career, he has been chosen for and named a starter at a record 21 All-Star Games. He has been on the list since the Denver game in 2005. However, he never came close to receiving enough votes this year to advance to the West Conference's starting five. On the other hand, the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles will host the 2026 All-Star Game on February 15.

NBA All-Star reserves: Announcement date and time:

On Sunday, February 1 at 6 p.m., the NBA will reveal the reserves for the 2026 All-Star Game. ET on NBC/Peacock prior to the start of "Sunday Night Basketball.” It is a doubleheader featuring the New York Knicks hosting the Los Angeles Lakers at 7 p.m. ET and the Oklahoma City Thunder visiting the Denver Nuggets at 9:30 p.m. ET.

NBA All-Star reserves: Game format

This season's game will have a different format. Three eight-player teams will compete in a round-robin tournament as part of the league's USA vs the world format. As a result, the eight-player squads will include the East and the West starters.




On February 1, NBC will unveil the seven reserves chosen by the league's coaches from each conference. The players will then be split into two USA teams and one world team for the new format of the All-Star Game. NBA commissioner Adam Silver will step in to fill the teams if there aren't enough domestic or foreign players for the All-Star reserves chosen by the NBA coaches.

NBA All-Star reserves: Nominees

Position will not be a factor in the selection of this year's All-Stars. A survey of NBA players (25%), a media panel (25%), and a fan vote (50%) were used to choose the starters. Ernst & Young, a major accounting and services company, oversaw and approved the surveys.

Later, the method for allocating the players to the two American teams will be decided. NBA coaches will choose seven players from each conference to serve as reserves, regardless of position. On January 19, the NBA previously revealed the starting lineup for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game. Five players from each conference were named among the ten All-Star starters.

Eastern Conference starters

From the Eastern Conference, the starters include Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics, and Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks. Also earning starting spots are Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons and Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Eastern Conference reserves

The Eastern Conference reserves are yet to be finalized, with the remaining selections scheduled to be announced on February 1.

Western Conference starters

The Western Conference starters feature a star-studded lineup led by Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, alongside Luka Dončić representing the Los Angeles Lakers. They are joined by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Nikola Jokić from the Denver Nuggets, and Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs.

Western Conference reserves

The Western Conference reserves have not yet been revealed, with the remaining selections set to be announced on February 1.

Meanwhile, for the first time in 22 years, James did not make the starting lineup. Last season, he bowed out of another mini-tournament format because of foot and ankle problems, ending his record run of 20 straight All-Star Game appearances. However, as a poll of NBA head coaches will determine those 14 spots, he might still make it as a reserve.


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