Kyrie, Young highlight NBA All-Star Game snubs
The reserves for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game were announced Thursday, and several notable names having noteworthy seasons missed out.
Here's a look at the biggest snubs from each conference.
Eastern Conference
Reserves: Jaylen Brown (Celtics), Cade Cunningham (Pistons), Darius Garland (Cavs), Tyler Herro (Heat), Damian Lillard (Bucks), Evan Mobley (Cavs), Pascal Siakam (Pacers)
LaMelo Ball (Hornets)
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 41.9 | 33.7 | 82 | 5.3 | 7.3 | 28.2 |
There's a problem when one of the NBA's most electrifying players is being left out of the league's premier contest. The Hornets guard is being unfairly held back due to his team's 12-32 record. Ball is averaging more points, rebounds, and assists per game than all seven of the East's reserves. He led all East guards in fan voting and was top 10 across all players – accumulating more votes than players like Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, and Donovan Mitchell. Not having LaMelo at the high point of his career so far is a major exclusion.
Trae Young (Hawks)
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43 | 40.2 | 34.2 | 85.6 | 3.3 | 11.4 | 22.7 |
Ice Trae has only been named an All-Star three times despite career averages of 25 points and almost 10 assists. Young leads the league in total assists (491) and assists per game (11.4) by a wide margin. He's also recorded the most point-and-assist double-doubles this season with 27. When will he get his shine?
Zach LaVine (Bulls)
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | 51.1 | 44.6 | 79.7 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 24.0 |
Unfortunately for Bulls fans, LaVine was probably dinged for his subpar performance last season. Based on this campaign alone, the 29-year-old deserved his third All-Star nod. LaVine's counting statistics have all positively regressed to his career averages, and he's also had the most efficient shooting season of his 11-year career. The UCLA product is knocking down a ridiculous percentage from downtown - on 7.3 attempts per contest - and is shooting above 50% for just the second time in his career.
Tyrese Maxey (76ers)
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 43.8 | 33.7 | 87.1 | 3.5 | 6.0 | 27.1 |
It's important to remember the coaches selected the reserves - and there's nothing bench bosses value more than winning. A small, defensively limited guard on a 19-27 team is a tough sell for NBA head coaches, even if that record isn't Maxey's fault. The 6-foot-2 guard is the Association's sixth-leading scorer and has the third-most steals. Maxey is also tied with Trae Young for the most clutch points in the league this season with 86.
Western Conference
Reserves: Anthony Davis (Lakers), Anthony Edwards (T-Wolves), James Harden (Clippers), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies), Alperen Sengun (Rockets), Victor Wembanyama (Spurs), Jalen Williams (Thunder)
Domantas Sabonis (Kings)
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | 61 | 48.1 | 77.1 | 14.5 | 6.6 | 20.9 |
What else could Sabonis have done to strengthen his All-Star case? The 6-foot-10 center is averaging a career high in points and is on pace to lead the Association in rebounds for the third straight campaign. He's posted a double-double in all but two appearances this season. Sabonis also boasts the NBA's second-best 3-point percentage and ranks third in triple-doubles (8). Sabonis, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the only players in the league averaging at least 20 points, 10 boards, and five assists. Russell Westbrook is the only other player to produce such numbers and be omitted from the All-Star team.
Norman Powell (Clippers)
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 49.4 | 43.5 | 84.6 | 3.6 | 2.2 | 24 |
Powell is having a career season at age 31. The former second-round pick has transitioned from a perennial Sixth Man candidate to a key starter on a playoff-caliber squad. Powell kept the Clippers in contention with Kawhi Leonard sidelined, leading the team in scoring and ranking 10th in the NBA with 3.4 threes per contest. Los Angeles is scoring 12.1 more points per 100 possessions with Powell on the floor. There's no doubt he's been the Clippers' MVP at the midway point.
Devin Booker (Suns)
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 44.4 | 34.1 | 89.3 | 4 | 6.7 | 25.5 |
An All-Star four of the last six seasons, Booker’s omission is surprising. He's still pouring in the points, as he and All-Stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards are the only guards in the Western Conference to have at least 14 30-point games. He's also the only other player from the West to rank in the top 15 in both points and assists, joining Nikola Jokic. While the Suns already have Kevin Durant as their representative, Booker would've made a worthy addition.
Kyrie Irving (Mavs)
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 48.2 | 41.9 | 89.7 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 24.2 |
Irving's flirting with another 50/40/90 season. He could join Larry Bird, Steve Nash, and Kevin Durant as the only NBA players to produce the elusive shooting splits in multiple campaigns. Irving has remained efficient despite logging nearly 36 minutes per contest and a 25.7% usage rate. He's picked up the offensive slack for the Mavs with Luka Doncic sidelined, averaging 24.4 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.8 rebounds in 18 appearances without his co-star.