2026 All-Star

Best quotes and moments from NBA All-Star Media Day 2026

Follow the best quotes and moments from NBA All-Star Media Day presented by AT&T with live blog coverage.

Ben Lambert, for NBA.com

Jalen Brunson shared his thoughts as part of NBA All-Star Media Day in Los Angeles.

NBA All-Star Media Day presented by AT&T brought us cool moments, insight and more from the world’s greatest players as they gather in Los Angeles for NBA All-Star Weekend.

Check in here for thoughts and reactions from your favorite NBA stars before they take to the hardwood Sunday night.

What we know about NBA All-Star Media Day presented by AT&T:

5:09 p.m. ET / Feb. 14

A champion reflects

4:58 p.m. ET / Feb. 14

Chet on rising to the top

4:44 p.m. ET / Feb. 14

Cade shares his love of the game

4:06 p.m. ET / Feb. 14

From LA, across the world

3:31 p.m. ET / Feb. 14

Five-time NBA All-Star: Jaylen Brown

Jaylen discussed advice he wished he had been given as a younger person.

“Confidence is everything,” said Brown. “Sometimes that will be challenged. If you don’t believe in you, nobody else will. No matter what room you walk into, always think that I deserve to be here, and I can accomplish whatever I set my mind to, and that will take you very far.”

  • Neemias Queta has been extremely important to the Celtics so far, but can still improve. “He has more potential in him, and I want to get that out of him.”
  • Jaylen advised the WNBA player representatives negotiating the new CBA to “do their due diligence, follow their instincts and get what they deserve.”
  • JB loves one-on-one competitions, such as those featured in the Unrivaled league. “It reminds me of the purity of the game.” He’d love to challenge Luka, SGA, Jalen Brunson — “we can donate to whatever charity. Let’s set it up.”
  • Brown praised the league’s HBCU Classic, now in its fifth year, calling for it to be further integrated into the League and league culture. “It’s only of benefit.”
  • Jayson Tatum “looks like he looks good,” and is checking off the right boxes, Brown said. He has to “check off the right spiritually, mentally and emotionally boxes,” but he “looks pretty damned good.”
  • People have been discussing Jaylen and Jayson’s relationship since they entered the league. While there are always adjustments, they both have experienced winning at a very high level.
  • Brown has started streaming this season, while adopting a leadership role for the Celtics. “It’s been fun, introducing you to me… I think I’ve built some dope followers.” It’s been a historic year for him and the team, as they integrate young players and rise to second in the Eastern Conference. “As a leader, I can’t tell you how much that means to me, to see those guys start to flourish on their own. I’m proud.”
  • Jaylen’s Mt. Rushmore of Atlanta hoopers: Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Lou Williams, he and Anthony Edwards.
  • A few NBA players could cross over into the boxing world, Brown said. “There’s a few guys that could deserve a tryout.” He might partake in a UFC or boxing fight after his career.

3:18 p.m. ET / Feb. 14

Four-time NBA All-Star: Anthony Edwards

Edwards advised young people to stay away from social media, saying he hasn’t been on it for three or four years.

  • “It’s always good to get the juices flowing,” Edwards said, noting he likes to talk trash.
  • Edwards’ Mt. Rushmore of Atlanta hoopers: Lou Williams, Vincent Banks, Jaylen Brown, Collin Sexton. Dwight Howard was also mentioned.
  • Ant would let every NBA All-Star potentially date his sister, but said he’d hesitate about Jaylen Brown — “he’s from the city.”
  • Ant’s order of operations when attacking in isolation: reading the low man, waiting for them to leave the key. “After that, everything cook.”
  • Tom Crean was “super-important” as a mentor, Edwards said, noting he helped him break down film and develop his game.
  • Edwards joked he’s “trying to suppress what he’s got,” in terms of handsomeness, after the NBA Research & Development Department ranked him the seventh-hottest NBA player of all time.
  • Edwards said can guard Kyrie one-on-one.
  • When LeBron retires, he “might cry a little bit.”
  • Wemby is the likely face of the league after LeBron’s retirement. “Them folk got Wembanyama. They’ll be alright.”

3:10 p.m. ET / Feb. 14

16-time NBA All-Star: Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant said fans should relax about complaining about the NBA All-Star game.

The game is “here to celebrate the game of basketball,” and fans come out each year to enjoy it, the history and the energy in the city.

“It’s way bigger than that, this weekend,” said Durant.

  • KD expects “All-Star level play” out of Jayson Tatum, assuming he makes his return this season. “This last phase is key to you stepping into a game,” said Durant.
  • Durant said he’s been watching portions of every All-Star game from the 1970s to the late 1990s, judging their intensity. (Check them out on NBA.com and the NBA App).
  • The Western Conference is tight, Durant noted — you can rise or drop by two spots in a single night. “A lot of teams have gotten better,” he noted, shouting out the Suns, Spurs and Clippers. The East is good too — “it’s been a fun season.”
  • KD would choose video games over X or Twitter, if forced to give one up. “They don’t deserve to hear this God-level talk I’m giving them.”

3:02 p.m. ET / Feb. 14

Three-time NBA All-Star: Jalen Brunson

Brunson said he’s thankful for his journey to this point, which has made him work extremely hard. He writes down goals every year.

“I’m still chasing it,” said Brunson. “I’m still chasing it.”

  • Jayson Tatum is “a very dangerous player in our league,” Brunson said, noting he was sad to see Tatum go down in last year’s Playoff series. His potential return is “a testament to who he is,” and fans are excited to see him return.
  • Jeremy Sochan brings toughness and team spirit to New York — “it’s a great opportunity for us and for him.”
  • “You never want to look ahead. You want to focus on the task ahead of you,” Brunson said of the Knicks’ mindset. “Take it one day at a time.”
  • With a smile, Brunson said he had beaten Boban Marjanović one-on-one in the past.
  • Jose Alvarado has “had a great impact, with his energy, with who he is.” The Garden’s going to love the New York native, he said. “It’s really exciting to get ready for this run to end the season.”
  • Brunson said he’d love to have Mariska Hargitay, Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU, on his podcast.
  • He and Josh Hart can discuss what they’d like there, he noted, creating their own narratives and expressing themselves. It wasn’t something he expected, but it’s been fun over three years. “It’s a great opportunity for us, for possibly life after basketball.”
  • Hart is “the most annoying person, ever,” Brunson said, declining to refer to his teammate by name.
  • He tries to stick to the same routine before each game, keeping it simple. “My focus comes from preparing… It’s the preparation from the summer time, from what you’ve done throughout your life… Your confidence comes from your work ethic.”

2:48 p.m. ET / Feb. 14

Two-time NBA All-Star: Victor Wembanyama

Wembanyama said the game’s new format has a chance to make it more competitive. As the game shifts globally, there’s pride amongst foreign-born and American players, he noted.

“I think that anything that gets closer to representing your country brings out the pride,” said Wembanyama.

  • Teammate’s De’Aaron Fox’s selection was well-deserved, saying he was happy for him. The Spurs could have had two appearances off the rip, he said, in line with what he views as consensus.
  • LeBron James is a very “intelligent” face of the NBA, and has not made many mistakes in the role. Wemby said he’d love to spend time with LeBron and discuss it. “There are, I don’t know how many millions of basketball players, and all of them could learn something from LeBron.”
  • “Exclamation point plays,” sharing the ball with energy and playing solidly are important for the World team, as he and they seek to make the game competitive.
  • Wemby said he’d like to teach a masterclass on the finer points of shot-blocking.
  • Wemby will not cry when LeBron retires, but “it will be very weird.”
  • “I guess chasing greatness is subjective. I’m definitely chasing my own greatness,” said Wembanyama. “Every day, trying to push myself out of my comfort zone and doing the right things.”
  • Spending time with Shaolin monks over the summer intrigued his teammates, but they’re attached to their hair. The physical work helped his body adapt and grow, he said, and the meditation and cultural experiences were “amazing.”
  • David Jones Garcia, selected for the Rising Stars game, but injured, is a “real, real hooper.”
  • “I’m part of a big picture mechanism. I think right now is an era of really skilled bigs, and this position is definitely evolving,” said Wembanyama, noting he was inspired by other bigs. “I think I’m pushing the boundaries in some way.”
  • The Spurs and San Antonio welcomed him “as if he’s been there for 20 years,” Wembanyama said. They make it seem like “there’s no pressure” coming with being a franchise star and No. 1 pick, although “he’s super-proud” of accomplishing it. “I’m here for all of it and everything that comes with it.”
  • Playing under a coach “is one of the hardest things” about playing in the NBA. A team is responsible for applying a scouting report, but they have to do it three or four times a week, while players are fatigued and in pain. “(Staying) present every night, especially to the tactical aspect, is one of the most difficult things.”

2:30 p.m. ET / Feb. 14

Six-time NBA All-Star: Luka Dončić

The press conferences opens with a question from Boban Marjanović, who asks who is Luka’s favorite all-time teammate. “All of them,” Dončić quipped.

Dončić answered a series of questions in Spanish and Latvian during his press conference, demonstrating his linguistic skill.

  • Dončić declines to discuss his potential investment in an NBA Europe franchise, saying he wants to focus on All-Star.
  • He will not try to dunk on LeBron, his teammate with the Lakers.
  • Scoring 100 points is probably not possible. “I scored 73 — it was a lot.”
  • Asked about his emotions during his first All-Star Weekend as a Laker, Luka said he’s “blessed” with all of his career.
    • “I’m going to look back at it. I’m a six-time All-Star now, and not everyone can say they’re All-Stars,” said Dončić. “Take everything into the moment and enjoy this.”
  • The game is underrated for fans, Dončić said — “playing with the best guys in the world.”

2:16 p.m. ET / Feb. 14

Eight-time NBA All-Star: Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić said he’d play hard in the All-Star Game, praising the new format and the varied teams — “I think it will be competitive in some way.”

Here’s more from The Joker’s press conference:

  • Jokić tells a youth to purchase the “best,” most “expensive” horse he can.
  • Jaylen Brown “doesn’t have his partner in crime,” but is “still proving he can lead a team,” Jokić said, noting the Celtics’ forward’s versatility and consistent scoring. “He’s a really good player.”
  • Jokić said he’d rather have his three horses win every race then take home another MVP, noting he’s “already had three.”
  • His Mt. Rushmore for international players: Dirk Nowitzki, Manu Ginóbili, Hakeem Olajuwon, Tony Parker and Pau Gasol. Giannis Antetokounmpo just missed the cut.
  • “Have fun and do whatever you feel like you feel like doing in that moment. If you want to ride a bike, ride a bike. If you want to jump off a cliff into the water, jump off a cliff,” Jokić said, offering advice to teenagers. “Try it, try it. Try everything.
  • Jokić admires LeBron James’ ability to stay healthy over 23 NBA seasons. “We all should admire that… When he stops playing, I think we’re going to admire it even more.”

2:11 p.m. ET / Feb. 14

Two-time NBA All-Star: Tyrese Maxey

“I’m blessed to be here,” Maxey said to open his press conference, thanking his supporters.

He said his career started to pick up in his fourth year, as he started to see random fans wearing his jersey. “Words can’t describe how happy it makes me.”

  • The 2024-25 NBA season was good for him mentally, he said. It was the first time he had lost consistently, but it served as a motivational challenge and an opportunity for growth. Plus, the Sixers got VJ Edgecombe, the MVP of the Castrol Rising Stars, as a result.
  • Maxey said he had enjoyed his podcast, giving players an opportunity to speak with their peers comfortably. There’s camaraderie, a brotherhood, between NBA players, he noted.
  • Maxey said he developed his finishing ability after realizing he’d likely top out at 6’2″. He studied Kyrie Irving — “what he did with the basketball, the different angles off the glass” — and now he adds his own English to it.
  • Joel Embiid has been a sounding board in his career, Maxey said. He’s happy to see Joel happy again and playing with joy. “I’m just happy to see him happy, as a friend, as a brother… I’m always going to have Joel’s back in any given moment.”
  • Maxey said he’s here to win. “I’m just competitive like that. If I see those guys in two weeks, those bragging rights, they’re fun to have. I think it gives a fun viewership for our fans.”
  • Maxey’s top-five Kentucky players: DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, Devin Booker, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and John Wall. Jamal Murray also got a mention.

2:00 p.m. ET / Feb. 14

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With our app story covering NBA Media Day.

1:15 p.m. ET / Feb. 14

Your 2026 NBA All-Star rosters

10:25 a.m. ET / Feb. 14

NBA Media Day 2026

Will be streamed live on NBA.com and the NBA App.

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