Top 5 2025 NBA All-Star Starter Snubs ft. Victor Wembanyama

On Thursday night, the 2025 NBA All-Star starters were announced on TNT's "Inside the NBA." As always, two types of reactions were predominant among NBA fans: Celebrating the players who made the cut and bemoaning the players who were supposedly snubbed.

Despite the impressive statistics that these players put up in the first three months of the season, they couldn't quite muster enough votes to land a spot in the All-Star starting five of their respective conferences. In the case of some of these players, their cultural impact makes their omission rather more eyebrow-raising.

Here's a closer look at the top five All-Star starter snubs this season.

Top 5 All-Star starter snubs this season

#5. Cade Cunningham

NBA: Detroit Pistons at Houston Rockets - Source: Imagn

Since entering the league in 2021, Cade Cunningham has proven to be a Swiss Army knife destined for bigger and better things. This season, the 6-foot-6 guard has been putting up career highs in his scoring average and field goal percentage. To boot, his 9.4 assists per game is third in the league — a better production, in fact, than All-Star starter Jalen Brunson's average of 7.3 assists.

#4. LaMelo Ball

NBA: Charlotte Hornets at Phoenix Suns - Source: Imagn

At first, LaMelo Ball's best argument for an All-Star starting spot seems to be his flashy style and popularity, which has been aided in recent weeks by his brother LiAngelo's viral song "Tweaker."

But check out the statistics section on the league's website, and you'll see that Ball is listed as eighth in assists (7.5) and fourth in scoring (29.0). Of course, the fact that Ball has played just 29 games this season could have counted against him (as opposed to Donovan Mitchell, who has missed just two games for the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers).

#3. Anthony Davis

NBA: Miami Heat at Los Angeles Lakers - Source: Imagn

For as long as LeBron James is playing in the NBA, it's hard to argue against his inclusion among the All-Star starters. However, it can be argued — and with good merit — that Anthony Davis has been the engine that's keeping the Los Angeles Lakers going this season.

Davis is outperforming James in scoring, rebounding, and field goal percentage; what's more, "AD" is in the top 15 of those first two categories while "The King" isn't even in the top 20.

#2. Anthony Edwards

NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks - Source: Imagn

Another Anthony that's taken a backseat to a generational player is Edwards from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Fans can't be blamed for wanting to see Steph Curry start the All-Star game on the backend of his career, but "Ant-Man" does have a legitimate case as a Western Conference starter.

As prolific as Anthony Edwards has been since his rookie season in 2020, his 26.2 ppg in 2024-25 is the best of his career thus far. The clincher: Edwards is putting up 9.8 outside shots per game and making 42.6% from deep, while Curry is averaging 40.7% off 10.6 attempts.

#1. Victor Wembanyama

NBA: San Antonio Spurs at Miami Heat - Source: Imagn

The biggest omission on this list is undoubtedly Victor Wembanyama, widely considered to be the superstar of the NBA's future. Now that "Wemby" has had more than a full season under his belt, many fans have been hoping to see him claim the first of many All-Star starting nods.

Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic certainly offers stiff competition, but Wembanyama — who's averaging a double-double with 24.6 points and 10.8 assists a night — could have been a solid selection as well.

Which player do you believe deserved to be an All-Star starter in 2025? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.