NBA Fans Call Out LaMelo Ball, Devin Booker Snubs as All-Star Reserves Revealed

The 2025 NBA All-Star reserves were revealed on Thursday night, which also resulted in a few perceived snubs from fans.

In the Eastern Conference, Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball wasn't included among the reserves. Ball has averaged a career-high 28.2 points per game this season and received the most fan votes among all East guards.

Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young was also among the snubs, and he reacted accordingly, writing on X that getting snubbed should be called getting "Traed":

Fans were surprised that he wasn't included.

For the Western Conference, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker failed to make an All-Star appearance for just the second time since the start of the 2019-20 season. Booker averaged 25.5 points per game on 44.4/34.1/89.3 shooting splits.

Fans were similarly shocked that he wasn't on the All-Star roster.

As for Ball, he also earned the third-most All-Star votes from his fellow players. He only finished No. 7 in media voting and the votes from coaches weren't enough to secure a roster spot, though.

Concerns may have stemmed from his efficiency and defense as well as Charlotte's overall 12-32 record. Ball is attempting the most shots per game in the NBA (23.3) and has struggled to make a consistent defensive impact despite his average of 1.4 steals per game.

The Hornets own a 114.9 defensive rating with Ball on the court this season compared to a team-best 108.5 defensive rating when he's off the floor (via NBA.com). For context, the Houston Rockets' 108.3 defensive rating currently ranks No. 4 in the association.

Still, it's a surprise that Ball's individual heroics weren't enough to warrant an All-Star spot. Especially considering he previously made the team during the 2021-22 season in which he averaged 20.1 points per game.

Booker's relatively slow start to the year appears to have been too much to overcome. Through the first 10 games of the regular season, the four-time All-Star averaged just 23.1 points per game while shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from three-point territory.

The Suns have also struggled to climb up the West standings, sitting at No. 9 in the conference with a 24-22 record. With Kevin Durant earning an All-Star starting role, voters may have been hesitant to award multiple roster spots to a Phoenix team that has dealt with inconsistency to open its 2024-25 campaign.

The 2025 NBA All-Star game will be played on Feb. 16.