NBA All-Star Reserves Announced: Snubs, Surprises, and Close Calls

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The NBA revealed its 14 All-Star reserves Thursday night, finalizing the rosters for the league’s revamped All-Star Weekend format. The selections, made by head coaches, sparked debates over snubs, surprises, and the inclusion of perennial stars alongside rising talents.

The Eastern Conference reserves include Darius Garland (Cleveland Cavaliers), Damian Lillard (Milwaukee Bucks), Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons), Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers), Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics), Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers), and Tyler Herro (Miami Heat). In the West, Kyrie Irving (Dallas Mavericks), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs), Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies), Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings), and Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder) rounded out the roster.

Garland and Mobley’s inclusion highlights the Cavaliers’ dominance in the East, with Cleveland boasting four All-Stars, including starters Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen. Garland, averaging 24.5 points and 9.3 assists, has been instrumental in Cleveland’s league-best offense, while Mobley’s defensive prowess and offensive growth have solidified his case.

In the West, Wembanyama’s selection as a reserve underscores his historic rookie season. The Spurs’ phenom is averaging 24 points, 10 rebounds, and a league-leading 3.9 blocks per game, with San Antonio performing significantly better when he’s on the court. Meanwhile, Sabonis, leading the NBA in rebounds (14.6 per game) and shooting 48.1% from three, continues to be a cornerstone for the Kings.

Notable snubs include Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks) and LaMelo Ball (Charlotte Hornets), whose gaudy stats were overshadowed by their teams’ struggles. Young, the NBA’s assists leader, and Ball, averaging 29 points and 7.5 assists, fell short due to their teams’ lack of playoff contention.

The All-Star Weekend, set for Feb. 14-16 in San Francisco, will feature a three-team tournament format, with the 24 All-Stars divided into squads led by Inside the NBA’s Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kenny Smith. The winning team from Friday night’s Rising Stars Challenge will join the tournament as the fourth entry.

Coaches’ emphasis on team success and defensive impact played a significant role in the selections. Players like Herro, who has kept Miami’s offense afloat amid injuries, and Williams, a key contributor to Oklahoma City’s league-best record, earned spots over higher-volume scorers on struggling teams.

As the league prepares for its new-look All-Star Weekend, the debate over who deserved a spot — and who didn’t — will continue to fuel discussions among fans and analysts alike.