Despite a dominant return and stellar January, Embiid's impressive season stats don't land him an All-Star nod.
The reserves for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, set to be held at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles on Feb 15th, were announced for both the Eastern and Western Conferences.
Several stars from around the league received nods, particularly in the Eastern Conference. Players such as Scottie Barnes, Donovan Mitchell, Pascal Siakam, and Karl-Anthony Towns, along with Jalen Johnson and Norman Powell, were among those selected.
The 76ers will be represented in Los Angeles by Tyrese Maxey, who was voted as an All-Star starter. However, the team will be missing another notable star who will likely not make the trip.
76ers star center Joel Embiid will likely miss his second straight All-Star game after not being selected as either a starter or one of the seven reserves for the game later this month.
Embiid has looked strong since returning from nagging knee injuries that forced him to miss much of the 2024-25 season, building a strong case for selection. In 28 games this season, Embiid is averaging 26.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 blocks on 49% shooting. He has 10 games of 30+ points, including a 40-point performance against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The former MVP has played his best basketball throughout January, appearing in 14 of 17 games and recording multiple 30-point performances, resembling the All-Star-caliber player that 76ers fans have grown accustomed to over the past year.
Despite his stellar play thus far this season, Embiid has also missed several games due to injury. He was on a minute restriction for most of the season, at one point limited to 20 minutes per game. His performance ramped up as he regained his rhythm on the court. Those factors likely contributed to his omission from this year's All-Star.
Embiid could likely appear in the game as an All-Star replacement for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is currently out with a left calf injury. However, without an All-Star selection, it's clear that Embiid remains one of the league's best big men and a cornerstone of the 76ers' lineup.
Embiid and the 76ers will look to build on their Saturday win over the Pelicans when they face the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.
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