Donovan Mitchell Snubbed As NBA All-Star Starters Revealed

Donovan Mitchell’s All-Star journey took a surprising turn this week as the NBA announced its starters for the 2026 All-Star Game, leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers’ star guard just outside the coveted starting lineup. Despite putting up career-best numbers and serving as the heartbeat of a Cavaliers squad still searching for its stride, Mitchell’s omission from the Eastern Conference starters has sparked debate and disbelief among fans, analysts, and even his fellow players.

The announcement came on January 19, 2026, after an intense voting process that combined input from fans (50%), NBA players (25%), and a select media panel (25%). The five players ultimately selected to represent the East as starters are Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics, Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks, Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons, and Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers. Mitchell, who finished sixth in the voting across all three groups, was the first player left out—a tough pill to swallow given his remarkable output this season.

Cleveland fans were quick to take to social media to voice their frustration, many expressing outright disbelief at the snub. One fan wrote, “Mitchell is currently third in the East in points per game at 29.2. That puts him ahead of three of the East All-Star starters.” According to StatMuse, the scoring leaderboard in the East is a testament to Mitchell’s offensive prowess, with only two starters averaging more points per game than him.

Mitchell’s season has been nothing short of extraordinary. In 39 games played, he’s averaged 34 minutes per game and is posting a career-high 29.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.5 steals. His efficiency has also reached new heights, shooting 48.9% from the field, 39.1% from beyond the arc, and 84.5% from the free-throw line. HoopsHype’s Global Rating system even ranks Mitchell as the third-best player in the Eastern Conference this season, yet he’ll be watching the opening tip from the bench when the All-Star festivities begin.

For Mitchell, this year’s snub stings a bit more considering his recent history. Before this season, he had been selected as an All-Star starter twice in his career. Had he earned the nod again, he would’ve joined LeBron James as the only Cavaliers to start at least three separate All-Star Games—a testament to his growing legacy in Cleveland.

“Mitchell is having his best year in the NBA across several categories,” noted one analyst, pointing to his scoring, field goal percentage, and three-point accuracy. The Cavs, however, have not lived up to their preseason hype, entering the All-Star break with a 24-19 record, good for fifth in the Eastern Conference. Some believe the team’s underwhelming performance may have weighed heavily on voters’ minds, overshadowing Mitchell’s individual brilliance.

“The problem is Mitchell being the face of the Cavaliers,” wrote another commentator. “That makes him the first player people think of when they linger on the underachieving group in Cleveland.” It’s a harsh reality in a league where winning often trumps individual achievement, at least in the eyes of voters.

But make no mistake: Mitchell’s impact on the Cavaliers is undeniable. The team outscores opponents by a staggering 8.0 points per 100 possessions with him on the court—a number that plummets to minus-6.0 when he’s off. That 14-point swing is one of the most dramatic net rating differentials in the NBA, highlighting just how vital Mitchell is to Cleveland’s success. According to advanced metrics, his on/off differential ranks in the 95th percentile league-wide, a clear marker of his value.

Despite the disappointment, hope is far from lost for Mitchell and his supporters. NBA coaches will soon select the All-Star reserves, and all signs point to Mitchell being a near-lock for inclusion. “There is no issue here in terms of whether Mitchell will make the game overall. Barring the most unforeseen of circumstances, the Cavs star should be an absolute lock to make the All-Star Game as a reserve,” one report confidently stated.

This year’s All-Star Game, set for February 15 at Los Angeles’ state-of-the-art Intuit Dome, will introduce a brand-new format: a USA vs. World round-robin tournament. The 24 selected All-Stars will be split into three squads—two representing the United States and one representing international players. Each team will participate in a series of 12-minute games, with the top two advancing to a championship showdown. If voting doesn’t yield the required number of U.S. or international players, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will step in to ensure the rosters are properly filled out.

Mitchell, who has Panamanian roots through his mother and grandmother, has even expressed a desire to represent Panama on the World team. Whether that wish comes to fruition depends on the final selections and how the league classifies his eligibility. Regardless, his presence at the event seems all but assured, given his season-long excellence.

Looking at the Western Conference, the starters are a star-studded bunch: reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver’s Nikola Jokic, San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, Los Angeles’ Luka Doncic, and Golden State’s Stephen Curry. The new format is expected to add a fresh layer of intrigue and competitiveness to the midseason classic, and fans are eager to see how the experiment plays out.

For now, the Cavaliers and their faithful can only hope that the second half of the season brings more wins and perhaps a bit more recognition for their star guard. As one local columnist put it, “The Cavaliers have had many issues this season, but Mitchell isn’t one of them.” If anything, his performance has been the glue holding Cleveland together during a turbulent campaign.

Mitchell’s All-Star starter snub is sure to fuel his competitive fire for the rest of the season. And with the reserves set to be announced next week, all eyes will be on the coaches’ selections. Will they right what many see as a wrong? One thing is certain: Donovan Mitchell’s All-Star credentials are undeniable, and his impact on the court speaks louder than any ballot ever could.

As the NBA world gears up for a new-look All-Star weekend in Los Angeles, Mitchell’s story remains one of the most compelling. Whether he dons a USA or World jersey, expect him to make his presence felt—and perhaps, remind everyone why he deserved to be a starter in the first place.