Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

76ers' Joel Embiid Unbothered by NBA All-Star Snub

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Feb 4, 2026 9:17 AM ET

Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid didn't make the NBA All-Star Game this season despite averaging 26.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.1 blocks in 29 games.

Embiid's Sixers teammate, Tyrese Maxey, made it as an All-Star starter in the Eastern Conference, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson and Cade Cunningham. The conference's all-star reserves are Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Johnson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Pascal Siakam, Norman Powell, Scottie Barnes and Jalen Duren.

Embiid's snub was a major talking point after the reserves were announced Sunday, especially because the one-time MVP has averaged 29.6 points on 51.7% shooting, along with 8.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists in his last 16 outings.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid looks on during a game.Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Despite missing what would have been his eighth All-Star berth, though, Embiid is not bothered. He said as much before the 76ers played the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night — a game he missed due to knee and ankle injuries.

According to him, his focus is not on making the All-Star team or winning an individual honor. Instead, his eyes are on the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

"I don't need any validation from anybody," Embiid said, according to John Clark of NBC Sports. "I'm happy where I'm at. I'm excited to be playing every night. ... There's only one thing missing for me. ... Another Ring. As a basketball player, there's only one thing missing."

“I don’t need any validation from anybody. I’m excited to be playing every night. There’s only one thing missing for me. Not my wife Another Ring. As a basketball player, there’s only one thing missing “

Joel Embiid on not being voted into the All-Star game. He only wants a… pic.twitter.com/PnTZgFUBpS
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) February 4, 2026

Joel Embiid Snubbed for NBA All-Star Again?

Recently, Athlon Sports highlighted the possibility of Embiid being named an All-Star replacement for Antetokounmpo.

The Milwaukee Bucks star is expected to be out for at least four to six weeks as he deals with a calf injury. Considering the NBA's USA vs. World format and the fact that Embiid is a foreigner who plays in the Eastern Conference, it made sense that he would replace the Greek Freak.

Unfortunately for Embiid, it didn't work out that way. The NBA instead named Kawhi Leonard as an addition to the USA player pool for the All-Star Game.

Consequently, the NBA moved Towns, who is part-Dominican, to Team World.

The 76ers improved to 29-21 with their 113-94 win over the Warriors on Tuesday. They remain sixth in the Eastern Conference standings, just half a game behind the fourth seed.

With Embiid clearly motivated and focused, though, the Sixers should be an even more dangerous team as the season progresses.

Philadelphia visits the Los Angeles Lakers at 10 p.m. ET Thursday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: