NBA Unveils 2026 All-Star Game Rosters, Adds Kawhi Leonard to U.S. Pool
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The NBA on Tuesday released the 25-man lineup for the 2026 All-Star Game, confirming that LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard has been added to the U.S. contingent for the Feb. 15 showcase in Inglewood, California.
The league’s latest format divides players into three squads—USA Stars, USA Stripes and the World team—who will play a round-robin mini-tournament. The two best records advance to a championship matchup the same night. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
Commissioner Adam Silver said the U.S.-vs.-World concept, discussed for years, aims to spark national pride and dovetails with NBC’s coverage of the Milan Cortina Olympics that begin later this week.
Leonard’s late inclusion raised the total pool to 25 players and shifted Karl-Anthony Towns—born in New Jersey but a Dominican Republic international—to the World roster. Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to sit out with an injury, leaving the World team at nine players while both U.S. squads carry eight.
The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association agreed to adjust roster sizes to ensure every team had at least eight participants under the new structure.
Players for the two U.S. teams were divided by age. USA Stars, the younger group, will be coached by Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. USA Stripes, featuring the veteran contingent, will be led by San Antonio Spurs assistant Mitch Johnson. Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic was named bench boss for the World side earlier Tuesday.
The February event reunites Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry with his recent Olympic teammates LeBron James and Kevin Durant, who headline the U.S. rosters.
Source: ESPN
