Anthony Edwards Robbed? The Truth Behind the 2026 All-Star Snub
If you listen closely, you can probably hear the collective groan coming from Minnesota right now. The 2026 NBA All-Star starters have been announced, and despite putting together one of the most electric campaigns of his young career, Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards finds himself on the outside looking in.
Monday’s announcement revealed a Western Conference starting five stacked with global icons: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, Stephen Curry, and Victor Wembanyama. That leaves “Ant-Man”—the face of the Timberwolves’ resurgence and a walking highlight reel—waiting for a reserve spot.
For fans who have watched Edwards dismantle defenses all season, the omission feels like highway robbery. But when you peel back the layers of the NBA’s voting process, the reason for his exclusion isn’t just about basketball performance. It comes down to a razor-thin margin, a complicated math equation, and a tiebreaker rule that just broke hearts across the Twin Cities.
The Math Behind the Heartbreak
To understand how a player of Edwards‘ caliber misses the cut, you have to look at the league’s weighted voting system. It’s not just about who scores the most points. The formula is a split: 50% of the vote comes from fans, 25% from current players, and the remaining 25% from a media panel.
Edwards didn’t lose by a mile; he lost by a mathematical hair. According to reports following the announcement, Edwards and San Antonio’s Wembanyama finished with identical weighted scores. In a league overflowing with talent, it came down to a dead heat between the established explosive scorer and the alien-like phenom.
So, why is Wembanyama starting and Edwards sitting? The NBA’s tiebreaker rules prioritize the fan vote. Because Wembanyama ranked higher on fan ballots than Edwards, he secured the starting nod. It’s a brutal reminder that in the modern NBA, popularity plays just as big a role as production.
The Fan Vote Factor
This snub has reignited a debate that seems to surface every February: Does the fan vote carry too much weight?
Edwards finished seventh in fan voting, pulling in roughly 1.96 million votes. While that number is nothing to sneeze at, it wasn’t enough to overcome the massive global followings of players like Curry or the fascination surrounding Wembanyama.
The starters list is often a tug-of-war between “best season” and “biggest star.” While Edwards has the numbers and the team success to back up a starting bid, he’s competing against legacy players and international icons who dominate social media feeds. The 50% weighting for fans means that even if players and media respect your game, the public can still swing a close race.
A “Snub” That Sparks Motivation
The reaction was immediate. Social media lit up with Timberwolves supporters and basketball purists calling the decision a “snub.” National analysts pointed out that Edwards isn’t just putting up empty stats; he is the engine of a winning team. To leave him out of the starting five feels like a punishment for playing in a smaller market compared to the global visibility of his peers.
However, if history is any indication, this might be bad news for the rest of the league. Edwards is a player who thrives on perceived disrespect. He plays with a chip on his shoulder the size of a boulder. Missing out on the starting lineup gives him fresh ammunition to prove his doubters wrong during the second half of the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the 2026 Western Conference All-Star starters?
The starting five for the West are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), Nikola Jokić (Nuggets), Luka Dončić (Mavericks), Victor Wembanyama (Spurs), and Stephen Curry (Warriors).
How does NBA All-Star voting work?
The NBA uses a weighted system to determine starters. Fan votes account for 50% of the total score, while NBA players and a media panel each account for 25%.
Will Anthony Edwards still play in the All-Star Game?
Almost certainly. While he missed the starting lineup, Edwards is a heavy favorite to be named a reserve. Reserves are selected by the league’s head coaches and will be announced in the coming days.
What Comes Next for Ant-Man?
While the starting lineup is set, the book isn’t closed on Edwards’ All-Star weekend. The NBA will name the reserves shortly, and barring a shocking twist, Edwards will be on that roster. Coaches, who select the reserves, tend to reward winning and two-way impact, two areas where Edwards excels.
Still, the “starter” label carries a certain prestige—and often, contract incentives—that a reserve spot doesn’t. This snub will likely fuel conversations about voting reform in the offseason. Should fans really have half the say in an era where social media highlights can outweigh 48 minutes of dominance?
For now, the Timberwolves move forward. Edwards will likely take this snub personal, which means opposing defenses should probably be on high alert. The fans may have voted him onto the bench, but expect Anthony Edwards to play like he belongs at center court.
