Houston Rockets Star To Replace SGA In The 2026 NBA All-Star Game

The 2026 NBA All-Star Game is almost upon us, with the teams recently being announced to some very mixed reactions from the NBA world in that time. While the starting lineups are full of superstars that have been among the best players in the league this season, the reserves have received some major question marks, and now, injuries are making things even more difficult.

Just days after the teams were announced, Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander revealed he would miss the event after suffering an abdominal injury. While many expected a snubbed guard to replace him, the official announcement has now come through, and he will be replaced instead by Houston Rockets star big man Alperen Sengun.

With the addition of Kevin Durant to the roster, the Rockets have again been fantastic in 2025/26, with Sengun showing that he's ready to solidify himself as one of the top big men in the entire league. In 44 games played, Sengun is averaging 21 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, and while he wasn't able to make the team over the likes of Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic, he's been playing at an incredibly high level this season.

On paper, Sengun was very deserving of the second straight All-Star appearance in his NBA career, and while it's unfortunate that it took an injury to the reigning MVP to make it happen, the 23-year old is now getting the honor that he deserves in 2026.