Harrison Barnes Blasts Controversial All-Star Decision After Brandon Ingram Replaces 2x MVP: “It’d Be Criminal” 2 Nov 21, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) dunks during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Harrison Barnes Blasts Controversial All-Star Decision After Brandon Ingram Replaces 2x MVP: 'It’d Be Criminal'

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Reign Amurao | Last updated Feb 11, 2026 8:09 PM ET

San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes had a strong opinion about the NBA’s decision on the All-Star Game. On Monday, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr confirmed that Stephen Curry will miss the game against the Spurs on Wednesday and the 75th All-Star Game on Sunday. Curry is dealing with right patellofemoral pain syndrome or “runner’s knee.”

Following the report, the league announced that Toronto Raptors star Brandon Ingram was named as the replacement for Curry. However, Barnes thought that one of his backcourt teammates should have been considered by the NBA.

Barnes mentioned that De’Aaron Fox or Stephon Castle deserved to be an All-Star.

“It’d be criminal if [Stephon Castle] and [De’Aaron] Fox didn’t get a look,” Barnes said. “No. 2 in the west, I think for what we’ve done, for the teams that have been below us that had two All-Stars.

“I don’t know a case— if we’re talking about impact on winning and playing high level basketball — why either of them shouldn’t be selected and/or highly in consideration for those spots.”

Harrison Barnes advocated that at least one of his two Spurs teammates should have been named an All-Star alternate for Steph Curry:

"It'd be criminal if [Stephon Castle] and [De'Aaron] Fox didn't get a look. … For what we've done, for the teams that have been below us that… pic.twitter.com/Xjf3Fk9uz0

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 11, 2026

Both backcourt stars have been significant to the Spurs’ 37-16 record. Fox has appeared in 44 games, averaging 19.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists. Castle, the second-year guard, has averaged 16.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 7.0 assists.

Mitch Johnson talked about how Harrison Barnes playing off the bench wasn’t a big deal

Last season, Harrison Barnes started in all of the 82 games of the season. This year, however, things have changed for the veteran forward. Since Jan. 31, Barnes has come off the bench in four out of the last six games for the Spurs.

Fortunately for San Antonio, Barnes doesn’t have a massive ego, and coming off the bench hasn’t been a big deal for him. Coach Mitch Johnson talked about how well the one-time champion has accepted a slight change in his role.

“I think Harrison Barnes is as professional and is a good of a veteran that you’d want in your locker room that I’ve been around… him coming off the bench for our team wasn’t a big deal to me in the sense that Victor has came off the bench, Steph Castle has came off the bench, Devin Vassell has came off the bench. We’ve had a lot of guys that we’ve done that with,” Johnson said.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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