PHOENIX – The NBA All-Star Game could see a surprising new face on Team World after an abdominal strain sidelined Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, opening a potential path for Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks to make his first All-Star appearance.
The Thunder announced on Wednesday, February 5, 2026, that Gilgeous-Alexander will be re-evaluated following the All-Star break. This leaves Team World with only seven confirmed players, one short of the eight required under the league’s new All-Star format. Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is also expected to miss the February 15th game at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, due to a right calf strain.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will be responsible for selecting the replacement players. The Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard has already been added to the pool of available players and will compete for USA Stripes. With Gilgeous-Alexander’s absence, Silver now faces another selection decision.
Brooks, who shares Canadian citizenship with Gilgeous-Alexander, has emerged as a strong candidate. The NBA’s new All-Star format features a round-robin tournament of four 12-minute quarters between two U.S. Teams – USA Stars and USA Stripes – and Team World.
Currently, Team World’s roster includes Luka Dončić (Los Angeles Lakers), Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets), Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs), Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets), Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers), Deni Avdija (Portland Trail Blazers), and Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks).
Brooks’ case for inclusion rests on the Suns’ improved performance this season. Phoenix (31-20 as of February 5, 2026) is on track to surpass their win total from last season (36) before the All-Star break. His impact on the team’s culture and his individual statistics – a career-high 20.9 points per game – further bolster his candidacy.
However, Brooks isn’t the only player in contention. Houston Rockets big man Alperen Şengün is also considered a strong replacement candidate, and the two players were previously teammates in Houston. Şengün received his first All-Star nod last season and is currently averaging 21.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 6.3 assists for the Rockets (31-18), who are fourth in the Western Conference.
Şengün averaged 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists last season, leading Houston out of a playoff drought. He has expressed that being left off the All-Star team this year serves as added motivation.
Phoenix Suns All-Star Devin Booker has already been selected for the game and will play for USA Stars, alongside Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors), Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons), Jalen Duren (Pistons), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Chet Holmgren (Thunder), Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks), and Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers).
Team Stripes will feature Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics), Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers), Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers), Norman Powell (Miami Heat), Kevin Durant, and Leonard.
