The starters for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game were announced on Monday, a culmination of fan, media and player voting. For the Eastern Conference All-Star starters, one notable omission was Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell ended up finishing behind Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown who was the fifth and final starter in terms of the weighted score.
Cavs fans can be assured that when the coaches select the All-Star reserves, that Donovan Mitchell will be named. But that didn’t stop them from taking to social media to proclaim his snub as a starter.
Some fans were just straight up in disbelief that Mitchell was not voted in as a starter.
Other fans pointed out the fact that 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.
Most PPG in the East:
30.3 — All-Star starter
29.7 — All-Star starter
29.2 — Donovan Mitchell
28.8 — All-Star starter
28.2 — All-Star starter
25.9 — All-Star starter pic.twitter.com/9ibswLRdih— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 19, 2026
And then in the case of NBA media and rumors site Hoophype.com, as per their player rating system, they have Mitchell ranked as the third best player in the East.
Donovan Mitchell is the third-best player in the Eastern Conference this season, per HoopsHype's Global Rating.
Will not start at the All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/xMxIgSafsF
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) January 19, 2026
Prior to this season, Mitchell had been selected as an All-Star starter twice in his career. Despite the Cavs’ inconsistent season, he’s been having a strong year, and was worthy of another starting nod.
Mitchell has appeared in 39 games at just about 34 minutes per game. He’s been averaging a career-high 29.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals with splits of 48.9 percent shooting from the field, 39.1 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 84.5 percent shooting from the free-throw line.
The five Eastern Conference All-Stars were Cade Cunningham, Jaylen Brown, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Maxey. The Western Conference All-Star starters were Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Stephen Curry and Victor Wembanyama.