NBA ALL STAR 2026 INJURY UPDATE: CURRY, SGA OUT; INGRAM, SENGUN IN

Steph Curry limped off against Detroit on January 30. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander strained his abdominal muscle against Orlando on February 4. Two All-Star starters down, two hungry replacements up. The NBA's midseason showcase just got a lot more interesting. ## The Casualties: When Stars Fall Curry has missed 15 games this season with various injuries, including his current bout with patellofemoral pain syndrome that has sidelined him for four straight games. "It's a matter of learning as I go what works rehab-wise," Curry told ESPN. "Because it's still painful." The timing couldn't be worse for the 37-year-old Warriors legend. He can only miss three more games to make All-NBA, almost guaranteeing he'll miss the honor for the first time since playing just five games in 2019-20. Meanwhile, SGA's abdominal strain suffered last Tuesday will keep him out at least five games, with re-evaluation scheduled after Sunday's All-Star Game. The reigning MVP's absence creates a massive hole in Team World's backcourt. ## The Replacements: Proving Ground Brandon Ingram earns his second NBA All-Star selection, his first since 2019-20 when he was also named Most Improved Player. In his 10th season, he's averaging 22.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 52 games. After Toronto acquired him from New Orleans and signed him to a three-year, $120 million extension, Ingram is leading the Raptors to a 32-22 record and fifth in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors are on track to end a three-season playoff drought this year. Alperen Sengun is averaging 20.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game this season for Houston. The 23-year-old becomes Turkey's first two-time All-Star, after also being picked last season. Sengun tied his season-high with 39 points and added 16 rebounds in Houston's 118-114 win over Indiana on February 2, then followed with a triple-double against Oklahoma City. ## The Format: New Stage, Same Pressure The 75th NBA All-Star Game takes place Sunday, February 15 at 5 p.m. ET at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, airing on NBC and Peacock. The NBA introduced a new format dividing the 24-man pool into three teams of eight players each, with two U.S. teams competing against the league's best international talent in a round-robin tournament. Ingram joins Raptors guard-forward Scottie Barnes on USA Stripes and head coach Darko Rajaković coaching Team World, while Sengun fills SGA's spot on the international squad. Both replacements get their shot on basketball's biggest midseason stage. Ingram has played 52 of Toronto's 54 games after missing most of last season with an ankle injury, while Sengun withdrew from an abdominal strain that derailed the MVP favorite. Sunday's showcase becomes less about the missing stars and more about who seizes the moment.