Los Angeles Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard was considered to be one of the most shocking omission from the 2026 NBA West All-Star roster this season. When the reserve players for both conferences were announced on Sunday, the list did not…
Los Angeles Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard was considered to be one of the most shocking omission from the 2026 NBA West All-Star roster this season. When the reserve players for both conferences were announced on Sunday, the list did not include Leonard.
But on Tuesday, Leonard was added to the Western Conference’s roster, according to NBA insider Shams Charania. Leonard is the 16th U.S. All-Star, which is the minimum requirement. The initial group of 24 All-Stars had only 15 U.S. All-Stars.
Leonard will be a reserve player for the Western Conference alongside the following seven players:
- Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James
- Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards
- Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray
- Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren
- Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant
- Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker
- Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija
The West Conference starters will be Los Angeles Lakers forward-guard Luka Doncic, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry.
This is Leonard’s seventh NBA All-Star selection of his career. He is the only Clippers player to have earned an All-Star selection this season.
Leonard Said He Did Not Expect to Be Named An All-Star
The Western Conference is filled with superstars, but Leonard has been one of the top players in the NBA since defeating the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 20. He has led the Clippers out of a 6-21 rut and now the team is 23-26.
Although many believed Leonard should have been named an All-Star initially, the two-time NBA champion told reporters he was not expecting to earn the honor after the Clippers’ game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.
“It’s never an expectation for me. I was a guy that had to work my way into those conversations. It is what it is. I’m gonna enjoy my time,” Leonard said, per Joey Linn on X.
Now, Leonard is a 2026 All-Star and will have the opportunity to represent the Clippers in the All-Star Game that is taking place at the Intuit Dome.
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The post Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard Added to NBA West All-Star Roster appeared first on LA Sports Report.
Category: General Sports
