Bold takeaway: The NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles underscores deep Oklahoma ties, with Thunder stars spotlighted even as some stars face injuries. Here’s a refreshed, beginner-friendly rewrite that preserves all facts while clarifying how the weekend unfolds.
The NBA All-Star Weekend kicks off in Los Angeles on Friday.
Two Oklahoma City Thunder players were selected for All-Star honors: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) and Chet Holmgren. However, only Holmgren is slated to play in the game on Sunday night.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who is making his fourth All-Star appearance, has been sidelined since February 3 due to an abdominal injury. The reigning MVP is averaging 31.8 points per game and is expected to be re-evaluated after the All-Star Break.
Holmgren, now in his third season, will participate in his All-Star Game debut. He’s putting up roughly 18 points and nearly 9 rebounds per game and will also take part in Saturday’s Shooting Stars challenge.
Second-year Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell was also invited to Friday’s Rising Stars showcase, but he, too, will not participate due to injury (Mitchell has been out since January 21 with an abdominal issue). Mitchell is averaging around 14 points per game.
Beyond the Thunder, Oklahoma and its basketball connections pop up throughout the weekend. Cade Cunningham, the former Oklahoma State standout, is making his second All-Star appearance as a Detroit Pistons guard, averaging 25 points, six rebounds, and nine assists per game.
Jeremiah Fears, a former Oklahoma Sooners standout and a rookie with the New Orleans Pelicans, will appear in the Rising Stars showcase this year, averaging 13 points per game.
Other Oklahoma links connected to the weekend include:
- Darko Rajaković, the Toronto Raptors’ head coach, will coach one of the All-Star teams. Rajaković previously served as an Oklahoma City Thunder assistant coach and led the Tulsa 66ers.
- Kevin Durant, the longtime Thunder star, is set to play in the All-Star Game.
- The G League Up Next Game on Sunday afternoon features OU alumnus Alondes Williams (Capital City Go-Go), former Thunder forward Dillon Jones (Westchester Knicks), and Heritage Hall product Trey Alexander (Birmingham Squadron).
For a complete lineup and schedule of events, visit nba.com/allstar/2026.
Think this Oklahoma-centric All-Star Weekend adds extra meaning to the showcase? Which connection stands out most to you, and do you agree that injuries affect how teams and fans engage with All-Star festivities? Share your thoughts in the comments.
