Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Spike Lee and John Tesh watch during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(New York, New York) – The 2026 NBA All-Star Game made history Sunday night as Deni Avdija became the first Israeli player ever to appear in the league’s midseason showcase.
Avdija, representing Team World, scored five points with four assists and a dunk at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. His jersey featured the Israeli flag, drawing pride from fans back home who have followed his rise as a symbol of national accomplishment.
“I feel like when I come to play, I come with the entire nation,” Avdija said in a postgame press conference, much of which was conducted in Hebrew. “It’s fun to show that it’s possible, even for a small country like us.”
LeBron James was also asked about Avdija’s performance by an Israeli reporter and said he hoped to inspire people in Israel “not only to be great in sports, but to be better in general in life.”
But the historic moment also intersected with politics.
Filmmaker Spike Lee attended the game wearing a Palestinian flag-inspired outfit, including a keffiyeh-patterned sweater and flag badges. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving wore a “PRESS” T-shirt produced by Wear the Peace, dedicated to journalists in Gaza “showing the world the truth.” Irving had previously worn the shirt at another NBA game.
There were no reported disruptions at the event, though cultural appearances by Israeli figures since the start of the war in Gaza have occasionally drawn protests.
Irving, who did not play in the All-Star Game, was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 2023 following controversy surrounding his promotion of an antisemitic film on social media, for which he later issued an apology.
The night ultimately highlighted both Avdija’s historic milestone and the broader political tensions that continue to surface in global sporting events.
