President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama make surprise appearance at NBA All-Star Game

Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama received a thunderous welcome Sunday night as they sat courtside at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome.

The couple, joined by daughter Sasha, were shown on the arena’s video board early in the exhibition and stood to wave as fans rose in a sustained ovation. Video from the scene showed the former president reaching out to snag an out-of-bounds ball headed toward their seats.

Barack Obama, a longtime basketball enthusiast who has attended multiple NBA events since leaving office, also exchanged greetings with players including Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry.

The appearance capped a weekend in which Obama had already been active around All-Star events in the Los Angeles area. The 2026 game featured the league’s top talent in the new USA vs. World format at the Clippers’ Intuit Dome, with LeBron James playing in his record 21st All-Star Game.

For many in attendance and watching at home, the Obamas’ courtside presence provided one of the night’s most memorable moments.