Kawhi Gets The Call: Clippers Star Named An All-Star; Joins Revamped USA Roster

Kawhi Leonard is officially back in the All-Star picture — deservingly.

The Clippers forward was added to the U.S. player pool by NBA commissioner Adam Silver on Tuesday night, a late move that puts an end to one of the loudest All-Star debates of the week.

Leonard now joins the field for the Feb. 15 All-Star Game, which will feature a new three-team format: two U.S. squads and one World team.

Leonard’s inclusion brings the number of U.S. All-Stars to 16 — the minimum required under the new setup — after the initial 24 players were named earlier this week.

His absence from the original list had raised eyebrows across the league, and this announcement feels more like a correction than a surprise.

Now in his 14th NBA season, Leonard earns his seventh

All-Star selection. He was the game’s MVP in 2020 and is in the middle of one of the most efficient scoring runs of his career. Through 36 games, he’s averaging a career-high 27.6 points per night, along with 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and a league-leading 2.1 steals.

His shooting splits — nearly 50% from the field, 39% from three and over 91% at the line — underline just how clinical he’s been.

Leonard has also scored 20 or more points in 28 straight games, including a career-best 55 against Detroit in December.

The ripple effect? Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns is now expected to suit up for the World team. While Towns was born in New Jersey, he represents the Dominican Republic internationally and last played for them at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Here is a look at the rosters in tabular form.

2026 NBA All-Star Team Rosters

USA STRIPES	USA STARS	WORLD
Scottie Barnes, forward, Raptors	Jaylen Brown, guard, Celtics	Giannis Antetokounmpo, forward, Bucks (Greece)
Devin Booker, guard, Suns	Jalen Brunson, guard, Knicks	Deni Avdija, forward, Trail Blazers (Israel)
Cade Cunningham, guard Pistons	Stephen Curry, guard, Warriors	Luka Dončić, guard, Lakers (Slovenia)
Jalen Duren, center, Pistons	Kevin Durant, forward, Rockets	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, guard, Thunder (Canada)
Anthony Edwards, guard, Timberwolves	LeBron James, forward, Lakers	Nikola Jokić, center, Nuggets (Serbia)
Chet Holmgren, forward, Thunder	Kawhi Leonard, forward, Clippers	Jamal Murray, guard, Nuggets (Canada)
Jalen Johnson, forward, Hawks	Donovan Mitchell, guard, Cavaliers	Pascal Siakam, forward, Pacers (Cameroon)
Tyrese Maxey, guard, 76ers	Norman Powell, guard, Heat	Karl-Anthony Towns, center, Knicks (Dominican Republic)
		Victor Wembanyama, center, Spurs (France)

This year’s All-Star Game will use a round-robin tournament format, with four 12-minute mini-games between the Stars, Stripes and World teams.