NBA All-Star Game 2026: Coaches, Format, and What to Expect
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game is set to accept place in Los Angeles, California, at the Intuit Dome, home of the LA Clippers, on February 15, 2026. This year’s game features a modern format with a three-team round-robin tournament culminating in a final matchup. Here’s a breakdown of the coaches, how they were selected, and what fans can expect.
Coaches for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game
The coaches for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game are:
- Team Stars: J.B. Bickerstaff (Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Team Stripes: Mitch Johnson (San Antonio Spurs)
- Team World: Darko Rajaković (Toronto Raptors)
How Are the All-Star Game Coaches Selected?
The selection process for the All-Star Game coaches has been slightly adjusted this year. Previously, coaches from the teams with the best records in each conference were automatically selected. This year, the process considered both record and previous participation.
J.B. Bickerstaff was selected as the coach for Team Stars based on the Cleveland Cavaliers having the best record in the Eastern Conference through February 1st. In the Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs had the second-best record on February 1st, leading to Mitch Johnson’s selection, as the coach of the team with the best record, Mark Daigneault, had already coached in the previous All-Star Game.
To ensure fairness and prevent dynasties from consistently sending their coaches, the NBA implemented the “Riley Rule” in 1991. This rule prevents coaches from repeatedly participating in the All-Star Game year after year.
Darko Rajaković was named as the coach for Team World by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, representing the league’s international players.
What to Expect During All-Star Weekend
NBA All-Star Weekend 2026 will span three nights, from February 13th to 15th, and will include a variety of events:
- Thursday, February 12: Creator Cup Presented by Playstation
- Friday, February 13: Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, Rising Stars G1 & G2, Castrol Rising Stars Championship, NBA HBCU Classic presented by AT&T
- Saturday, February 14: NBA All-Star Media Day, Commissioner Adam Silver News Conference, State Farm 3-Point Contest, Kia Shooting Stars, AT&T Slam Dunk
- Sunday, February 15: NBA G League Next Up Game, All-Star Game 1: World vs. USA Stars, All-Star Game 2: USA Stars vs. USA Stripes, All-Star Game 3: World vs. USA Stripes, All-Star Championship: USA Stars vs. USA Stripes
The festivities on Sunday will tip off at 2:30 p.m. ET with the NBA G League Next Up Game and culminate with the All-Star Championship at 7:10 p.m. ET. The games will be played at the L.A. Convention Center and Intuit Dome.
NBA All-Star Weekend History
The NBA All-Star Weekend is an annual event held each February during the NBA regular season. It consists of a variety of basketball events, exhibitions, and performances, culminating in the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night. The first All-Star Game was played on March 2, 1951, at the Boston Garden.