LaMelo Ball Snubbed from NBA All-Star Game Despite Leading Fan Vote
One Ball brother will make an appearance during NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco, but it won’t be the one who dominated fan voting.
LiAngelo Ball will take the stage at Chase Center, while his younger brother, LaMelo Ball, watches from the sidelines. Despite a strong fan push, the Charlotte Hornets star was left off the All-Star roster, marking another year without a representative from the franchise.
Why Was LaMelo Ball Left Off the All-Star Team?
Ball’s omission comes despite leading all Eastern Conference guards in fan votes. However, the final selection process includes input from media and players, where he didn’t fare as well.
The fan vote accounts for 50% of the total, but media and player rankings make up the remaining 50%. Ball finished seventh in media rankings and third among players, leading to a weighted score that placed him just behind Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers) and Jalen Brunson (Knicks), both of whom secured starting spots.
When it came to reserve selections, which are chosen by NBA coaches, Ball was again left out in favor of a deep pool of guards that included Cade Cunningham, Darius Garland, Tyler Herro, and Damian Lillard.
Factors That Hurt LaMelo’s Case
Three key factors worked against Ball’s bid for his second All-Star selection:
- Injury Concerns – Ball had played only 31 of Charlotte’s 44 games at the time of voting, raising concerns about his availability.
- Team Struggles – The Hornets’ 12-32 record didn’t help his case, as All-Star selections often favor players from winning teams.
- Efficiency Issues – While Ball’s 27.3 points per game is a career high, his shooting numbers have dipped. He’s converting just 41.6% from the field and a career-low 33.8% from three.
How the Voting Played Out
Here’s a breakdown of the Eastern Conference guard voting results:
| Rank | Player | Fan Rank (50%) | Media Rank (25%) | Player Rank (25%) | Weighted Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Donovan Mitchell | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1.50 |
| 2 | Jalen Brunson | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2.50 |
| 3 | LaMelo Ball | 1 | 7 | 3 | 3.00 |
| 4 | Trae Young | 5 | 6 | 4 | 5.00 |
| 5 | Damian Lillard | 4 | 5 | 8 | 5.25 |
Despite leading fan voting, Ball’s low media ranking (7th) proved costly, preventing him from securing a starting spot or a reserve selection.
LaMelo Ball’s 2025 Season Stats
| Games | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3PT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 27.3 | 5.1 | 7.2 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 41.6% | 33.8% |
Ball’s scoring numbers remain elite, but injuries and inconsistency have been hurdles. He’s already played more games than last season but has still missed over 35% of Charlotte’s contests. If he stays healthy, he’ll aim to play at least 60 games for the first time since the 2021-22 season.
What’s Next for Ball?
Missing out on the All-Star Game is undoubtedly a disappointment for Ball, but he still has time to prove his doubters wrong. If he can improve his efficiency and lead the Hornets to more wins, he’ll have a stronger case next season.
For now, though, LaMelo will have to watch as the league’s best take the court in San Francisco—while his brother LiAngelo enjoys a moment in the All-Star spotlight.
