NBA 2026 All-Star starting lineups announced; Alperen Sengun absent, LeBron 21 years later...

The 2026 NBA All-Star Game has announced the top 5 in the Eastern and Western Conference.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics), Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons) and Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers) are in the top 5 of the Eastern Conference.

In the Western Conference, Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Luka Doncic (Los Angeles Lakers), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets) and Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs) were selected in the top 5.

LEBRON ABSENT AFTER 21 SEASONS

LeBron James' streak of being selected to the All-Star starting lineup for 21 years in the NBA came to an end this season. All-Star reserves will be announced later, the statement said.

NEW FORMAT

This year's NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Home, home of the Los Angeles Clippers, on February 13-15, will feature a new format.

In the new format of the All-Star games, two teams of US players and one World Team will compete.

After the three teams face each other in 12-minute matches, the top two teams will compete for the championship in the fourth and final game. The 3 teams will have at least 8 players each and 12 basketball players will be selected from the two conferences.

ALPEREN ŞENGÜN EXPECTATION

The top five players from each conference will be selected by fans (50 percent of the vote), current NBA players (25 percent) and a media panel (25 percent), while the remaining seven will be chosen by NBA head coaches.

There will be no position limitations in the All-Star voting this year.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will step in to restore balance if the voting fails to reach 16 US players and 8 international players.