Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard found himself named to play in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game that will take place on Sunday, Feb. 15, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.
Leonard didn’t get enough votes to originally make the game, but NBA Commissioner Adam Silver decided on Tuesday to add him to the game. Leonard is averaging 27.6 points per game this season for the Clippers.
How Did Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard Make the NBA All-Star Game?
So, how did Silver add Leonard to the game? Those details were shared in an X post by the NBA Communications account.
“The 75th NBA All-Star Game will feature two teams of U.S. players and one team of international players, with each team consisting of at least eight players,” according to the post on X. “After the selection of the initial 24 All-Stars, Kawhi Leonard was added to bring the total number of U.S. All-Stars to 16, the minimum required under the format.”
The 75th NBA All-Star Game will feature two teams of U.S. players and one team of international players, with each team consisting of at least eight players.
After the selection of the initial 24 All-Stars, Kawhi Leonard was added to bring the total number of U.S. All-Stars to… https://t.co/5DY1XhvYDJ
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 3, 2026
As of Tuesday, Leonard is shooting 49.7% from the field, 39.1% from three-point range, and 91.3% from the free-throw line. Leonard has scored at least 20 points in each of his last 28 games, highlighted by a career-high 55-point performance against the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 28, 2025.
This is Leonard’s seventh All-Star selection in his career. Back in 2020, Leonard earned the Kobe Bryant Trophy as the NBA All-Star Game MVP.
After losing to the Philadelphia 76ers at home 128-113 on Monday night, the Clippers’ overall record now sits at 23-26. Entering Tuesday night’s games, with the Clippers not playing, the team is 6.5 games behind the NBA’s Pacific Division-leading Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers.
Leonard will try to keep his focus on what’s happening on the court. Right now, off the court, the Clippers are dealing with the possibility of trading James Harden. Discussions reportedly have been underway between the organization and Harden about a move to another team.
The NBA trade deadline looms on Thursday, so Leonard might be losing a teammate.
But Leonard will be a part of the 75th NBA All-Star Game, giving him a chance to help Team USA secure a victory over the International Team.
