Being selected as an NBA All-Star is an honor.

However, being chosen as one of the 10 starters is a different achievement entirely.

The players who will kick off the 2025 NBA All-Star Game in San Francisco on February 16 were revealed on Thursday night during a TNT broadcast, which preceded a doubleheader featuring the Miami Heat against the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics competing with the Los Angeles Lakers.

As usual, there are players who made solid arguments for why they should be included as starters, or at least warranted strong consideration. Nevertheless, with only five starting positions available in each conference, the competition for a starting spot is incredibly tight. The All-Star reserves will be disclosed on January 30, also on TNT.

Here are the players who were overlooked for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game:

Eastern Conference

Cade Cunningham

Cade Cunningham, the guard for the Detroit Pistons, has been outstanding and his performance has fueled Detroit’s climb in the standings; as of Thursday, the Pistons were ranked No. 6 in the East — the last team guaranteed a playoff slot. Cunningham is achieving career highs in points (24.6), assists (9.4), and rebounds (5.6) per game, and he has played a key role in helping the Pistons (23-21) exceed their previous season’s win total by nine games at the halfway mark.

Western Conference

Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers is often the cornerstone through which the team’s offense operates, similar to how LeBron James acts as both a scorer and a playmaker. Davis, however, brings stability to Los Angeles and is a consistent threat near the basket. This season, he has also helped create space on the court with his improved 3-point shooting, which he has embraced in recent outings. Among players who have appeared in at least 20 games, Davis ranks fourth in player impact estimate (17.9), a metric that evaluates a player’s overall contributions (both positive and negative).

Anthony Edwards

Although his efficiency has decreased slightly, Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves remains the most dynamic shooting guard in the league, known for his ability to execute powerful dunks. Edwards has revamped his shooting strategy this season, leading the league with 184 made 3-pointers, and boasts the highest 3-point shooting percentage (42.6%) among the top 25 players in terms of 3-point attempts.

Victor Wembanyama

Victor Wembanyama from the San Antonio Spurs is recognized as the top defender in the NBA, and due to his increased role on both ends of the floor in his second year, he has shown growth since winning Rookie of the Year. He posts averages of 24.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, an NBA-leading 4.0 blocks, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 47.3% overall, 35.4% from beyond the arc, and 84.5% from the free-throw line. The Spurs’ improved performance and playoff prospects can be attributed to his development.