Jokić and Dončić Exit NBA All-Star Game Early

Superstars cite recent injuries as reason for limited playing time in exhibition

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić, two of the NBA's best players, exited the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles after playing just a few minutes. Both players are still recovering from recent injuries - Jokić with a knee bone bruise and Dončić with a hamstring strain - and opted not to push themselves in the exhibition match.

Why it matters

The NBA All-Star Game has never been a priority for Jokić and Dončić, who are known for their lack of effort in the annual exhibition. With a new format featuring shorter quarters and overtime periods, it made little sense for the injured superstars to risk further injury in a meaningless game.

The details

Jokić and Dončić both exited the All-Star Game early, joining other top players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Steph Curry who sat out the exhibition due to injuries. The two stars were likely not going to play hard regardless, so they decided it was best to rest and recover rather than push themselves in the shortened format.

  • Jokić and Dončić exited the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles on February 15, 2026.

The players

Nikola Jokić

A superstar center for the Denver Nuggets who is recovering from a knee bone bruise.

Luka Dončić

A superstar guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who is recovering from a hamstring strain.

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The takeaway

Jokić and Dončić's early exits from the 2026 NBA All-Star Game highlight the superstars' lack of interest in the annual exhibition, as well as the new format's inability to incentivize top players to participate fully when dealing with recent injuries.