NBA All-Star Game 2026, official rosters: Curry, LeBron and Durant together again
The three teams set to compete at the NBA All-Star Game 2026 have been officially announced. Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant are ready to face the best players in the world
The NBA All-Star Game 2026 is gearing up to deliver a unique spectacle – or at least that’s the hope. The official rosters have been unveiled, and among the key updates is the addition of Kawhi Leonard to the group of U.S. players.
The midseason showcase, scheduled for February 15 at Inglewood’s Crypto.com Arena, will feature three teams for the first time under the new U.S. vs. World format, designed to reignite national pride and competitive edge among players.
Among the headline attractions will be Stephen Curry, who will once again share the floor with his former Olympic teammates LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
This format celebrates our roots and the global passion for basketball.
Adam Silver
The NBA commissioner emphasized how the timing of the event is ideal, with the broadcast on NBC leading directly into the build-up for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics.
The new U.S. vs. World format: three teams, new energy
After years of discussion, the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association have officially implemented the U.S. vs. World concept, an effort to reinvigorate interest in the All-Star Game following criticism of last season’s tournament-style format. The 25 selected players will be divided into three teams:
- USA Stripes: the veterans, coached by Mitch Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs.
- USA Stars: the younger group, led by J.B. Bickerstaff of the Detroit Pistons.
- World Team: the top international players, coached by Darko Rajakovic of the Toronto Raptors.
The roster was slightly adjusted to include Kawhi Leonard, widely viewed as the most deserving player left out of the initial list. That move required shifting Karl-Anthony Towns to the World Team, as despite being born in New Jersey, he has represented the Dominican Republic internationally, his mother’s homeland.
Absences and roster adjustments
Several players will be unavailable due to injury. Among them is Giannis Antetokounmpo, who will miss the World Team, leaving the group with nine players instead of the originally planned ten. The NBA had previously indicated that roster sizes could be adjusted to ensure at least eight players per team, in line with the new format.
The NBA All-Star Game 2026 now promises a blend of elite talent, international rivalry and pure entertainment – the perfect stage to watch the best players in the world go head-to-head on a truly unique court.