Joel Embiid Snub Rocks All Star Picks

The league released its All-Star Game reserves and the list sparked loud debate. Joel Embiid, despite averaging 26.2 points and 7.5 rebounds and scoring 30 or more in six of his last seven games, was left off. Michael Porter Jr. (25.6 PPG) and Western names like Alperen Şengün, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden also drew cries of snub. Those omissions shift narratives about the season and leave room for an injury replacement to reshape the rosters. Merlin sees a crowded West where worthy players go unrecognized and an East decision driven by games played as much as production. Fans will argue stats versus availability, and coaches will weigh optics and fit if a starter can not play. The late-season surge by Embiid keeps him in the conversation and makes any All-Star roster fluid.