CLEVELAND, Ohio — Donovan Mitchell is waiting to see if NBA coaches will pick him for the All-Star Game. He leads the Cavaliers in scoring and had hoped to be named an Eastern Conference starter but was overlooked this time.
The fan voting, which counted for half of the total decision, favored other players. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo topped the fan votes, followed by stars like Jalen Brown and Jalen Brunson. Despite his impressive season, Mitchell ended up sixth in the vote across all categories.
Mitchell, a 29-year-old player, aimed for his seventh straight All-Star selection. If chosen, he would be only the second Cavalier, after LeBron James, to start three All-Star Games.
Now, Mitchell hopes to secure a spot as a reserve when coaches announce picks next week. He’s delivering outstanding numbers this season: 29.2 points, 5.7 assists, and nearly 5 rebounds per game. He leads the league in second-half scoring and has the most 30-point games in the Eastern Conference.
Despite the Cavs’ struggles (they’re currently 24-19), Mitchell’s influence is clear. When he’s on the court, the team performs drastically better — outscoring opponents by 8 points per 100 possessions, a significant impact reflected in his positive net rating.
As for the All-Star format, the upcoming games will feature a U.S. team versus an international “World” team in a round-robin setup. It’s an exciting change, as it will showcase diverse talent.
The 2026 All-Star Game is scheduled for February 15 in Los Angeles, at the new Intuit Dome. Mitchell is determined to be there, showing fans that he’s not just a scorer but a crucial team player.
For those interested in the latest updates on the All-Star selections, you can follow the NBA’s official announcements on NBA.com.
