The 2026 NBA All-Star Game saw a late roster change just days before tip-off. The NBA All-Star weekend is almost here, and fans are buzzing with anticipation. This year brings a brand new tournament format that promises unprecedented excitement. But one major storyline has shifted the narrative just days before the big event.
Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry will miss the game due to a lingering knee injury. Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram has been named his replacement.
Let’s dive into what this means for both players and the game ahead.
Curry’s injury forces him to sit out
Stephen Curry has been dealing with patellofemoral pain syndrome. This condition causes pain around the kneecap and requires careful management. The Warriors announced that an MRI diagnosed Stephen Curry with right patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Curry missed four straight games before the break, and coach Steve Kerr confirmed he would also sit out the All-Star Game on Feb 15.
Ingram earns his second All-Star selection
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver named Brandon Ingram to replace Curry on USA Stripes, the league announced on Feb 10. This marks Ingram’s second All-Star appearance after making it in 2020 with New Orleans. He also won the Most Improved Player award that same season.
At the time of his selection, Ingram was averaging 22.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 52 games and ranked 16th in the NBA with 1,143 total points. His consistency has been crucial for a Raptors team currently sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.
The new All-Star format explained
The 2026 All-Star Game debuted a new USA versus World round robin format at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Feb 15, 2026. Two USA teams faced one World team in a round-robin tournament. Each team played at least two games in four separate 12-minute quarters.
The USA Stars and USA Stripes will compete alongside Team World for the championship. The tournament structure features an elimination round followed by a championship game. Point differential will serve as the tiebreaker if teams finish with identical records.
Ingram’s stellar season with the Raptors
Toronto’s new star has delivered consistent scoring and veteran leadership all season long. At the time of the All-Star selection, Ingram was averaging 22.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 52 games and had reached 20 or more points in 33 games this season. He shoots 47.2% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range.
His mid-range game remains his calling card with his ability to create shots. Ingram has helped lead Toronto to a 32-22 record this year.
Ingram’s journey to Toronto
Toronto acquired Ingram from New Orleans in a Feb 2025 trade that sent Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk along with a 2026 first round pick and a 2031 second round pick to the Pelicans, and the Raptors signed Ingram to a three year, $120 million extension that included a player option.
The extension came before Ingram even suited up for the franchise due to an ankle injury. He missed most of last season recovering from the sprain suffered in New Orleans. The Raptors showed faith in him despite not seeing him play in their uniform.
Toronto’s All-Star duo
Ingram joins teammate Scottie Barnes, who was named earlier as an All-Star. This is the first time the Raptors had two All-Stars since 2020 and only the seventh time in franchise history they have been represented by two players.
Scottie Barnes earned his spot on the USA Stars roster through the initial selection process. This marks the seventh time in franchise history that two players will represent Toronto at the event.
Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam were the last Raptors duo to share All-Star honors together. Barnes and Ingram will compete on opposing teams during the round robin tournament format. Their presence showcases the Raptors’ return to playoff contention and competitive basketball in the Eastern Conference.
What this means for the USA Stripes
Ingram joined a strong USA Stripes roster that included LeBron James and Kevin Durant and offered the team an added scoring option. Brandon Ingram will play alongside basketball legends when he takes the floor Sunday night. The USA Stripes roster includes LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and several other elite talents. Ingram’s versatile scoring ability gives the team another offensive weapon to deploy against opponents.
His length and defensive upside could prove valuable in the competitive tournament format. The Stripes will rely on his ability to create his own shot when plays break down.
TL;DR
- Brandon Ingram replaced the injured Stephen Curry for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game on Feb 15, 2026.
- Curry sat out with patellofemoral pain syndrome and was held out through the All-Star break.
- Ingram earns his second All-Star selection after making it in 2020 with New Orleans.
- The new format features USA versus World in a round-robin tournament at Intuit Dome.
- Ingram averages 22.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists this season for Toronto.
- Toronto signed Ingram to a three-year, $120 million extension last February.
- Ingram joins USA Stripes alongside LeBron James and Kevin Durant for the game.
- Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram are Toronto’s first All-Star duo since 2020.
- The USA Stars defeated the USA Stripes in the All-Star championship game.
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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