Joel Embiid Misses 2026 NBA All-Star Team

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Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was not named a reserve for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, despite averaging 26.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists so far this season. Embiid, a seven-time All-Star, was coming off his best month of the season in January, when he averaged 29.7 points per game. Instead, players like Detroit's Jalen Duren and New York's Karl-Anthony Towns were selected for the All-Star reserves.

Why it matters

Embiid's exclusion from the 2026 NBA All-Star team is surprising, given his strong individual performance this season. As one of the league's premier big men, his absence from the midseason showcase raises questions about the selection process and the criteria used by coaches to choose the reserve players.

The details

Embiid, who last made the All-Star team in 2024 but missed the game due to injury, was not selected as a reserve this year. The Sixers center is averaging 26.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, and is coming off a January in which he averaged 29.7 points. However, players like Jalen Duren of the Pistons and Karl-Anthony Towns of the Knicks were chosen for the All-Star reserves instead.

• Embiid last made the NBA All-Star team in 2024.
• Embiid averaged 29.7 points per game in January 2026.
• The 2026 NBA All-Star reserves were announced on February 2, 2026.

What’s next

Embiid and the Sixers will look to bounce back from the All-Star snub and make a strong playoff push, as they currently sit in the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference.