Jalen Brunson Earns Starting Spot in 2026 NBA All-Star Game

Jalen Brunson to Star in 2026 NBA All-Star Game

Jalen Brunson, the standout guard for the New York Knicks, is set to grace the court at the upcoming 2026 NBA All-Star Game, scheduled for February 15 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. This announcement, made by the NBA on Monday, marks Brunson’s third consecutive appearance in the All-Star festivities, securing his second straight title as a starter.

Brunson’s Impressive Season Performance

This season, Brunson is enjoying an impressive performance, averaging 28.2 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game over 37 games played. His contributions place him among the elite in the Eastern Conference, where he will be joined in the starting lineup by notable players such as:

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks
  • Tyrese Maxey from the Philadelphia 76ers
  • Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons
  • Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics

Previous All-Star Appearances

In previous All-Star appearances, Brunson scored:

  • 12 points, five assists, and four rebounds in 2024
  • three points and three assists in a unique 2025 format that featured Kenny Smith’s Young Stars team

New Format for This Year’s All-Star Event

For this year’s All-Star event, a new USA vs. World format has been introduced. The competition will feature a round-robin style tournament with three teams:

  • Two comprised of American players
  • One representing international talent

Each team will consist of eight players. NBA commissioner Adam Silver may adjust rosters if necessary. The All-Star exhibitional games will last for 12 minutes each, with the top two teams competing in a final championship round. On February 1, the selection of reserves for the All-Star Game will be conducted by league coaches.