Kawhi Leonard’s All-Star Journey: A Look At His Selections

There is a certain irony in discussing Kawhi Leonard’s All-Star career. For a player whose reputation is built on stoicism, quiet dominance, and an almost aversion to the spotlight, he has been featured prominently in the NBA’s biggest spectacle. Yet, when you look at the history of his selections, you see a narrative that is less about celebrity and more about undeniable on-court impact. Leonard hasn’t just been picked because he’s popular; he’s been picked because, when he’s healthy, he is an unstoppable force.

His journey to the All-Star stage is a study in consistency, punctuated by the unique challenges of maintaining elite health in a high-contact league. Let’s break down how the San Diego native earned his stripes between the conferences, from his breakout years with San Antonio to his recent stints in Los Angeles.

The Breakout: Earning Respect in San Antonio

Leonard’s first All-Star appearance came in 2016, but it was arguably the least obvious of his selections. At that time, he was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, dominating the Western Conference with incredible efficiency. However, fans and media often overlooked him in favor of flashier scorers or established superstars. His 2016 selection signaled a shift in how the league viewed two-way players. He wasn’t just a connector or a defensive stud; he was a primary option who could close out games.

This was a pivotal moment. Before 2016, the West was stacked with heavy hitters like Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, and LeBron James (who was with Cleveland then). For Leonard to crack the starting lineup or even make the reserves required him to play flawlessly. And he did. Over that 2015-16 campaign, he averaged 21.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting an elite 47% from three. The selection validated his status as not just a role player, but a cornerstone of a championship-caliber team.

The Peak Years: Dominance and the 2019 Championship Hangover

If 2016 was the announcement, 2017 was the confirmation. By this point, Leonard had won the Defensive Player of the Year award for the second consecutive time (tied with Andrew Wiggins, though Leonard’s impact was universally regarded as superior). He entered the season with the momentum of a team that had finally propelled itself into the title conversation. His 2017 All-Star nod felt inevitable. He was playing controlled, efficient basketball that made opponents miserable. He averaged 25.5 points per game with incredible shooting splits.

Then came 2019. This was arguably the peak of his career. Leonard finished the regular season leading the Western Conference in scoring, averaged nearly 27 points on 50-40-90 splits, and carried his team to the NBA Championship. It was the kind of season that usually guarantees a starting spot and universal acclaim. And yet, his All-Star status that year is remembered not for the hype, but for the abrupt end to it. Injuries to his knee began to surface before the All-Star break, limiting his availability and intensity. While he was still selected based on his statistical dominance, it was the first subtle hint that his career would be defined as much by his health as by his talent.

The Toronto Chapter: Leadership and Reliability

When Leonard moved to Toronto, there were questions about whether he could translate his success to a new system. The 2019-20 season was a transition year. He was dealing with a thumb injury that required surgery during the regular season. Despite playing only 58 games, he was still selected as an All-Star. This speaks volumes about his perceived value to the league. Even when compromised physically, Leonard’s effectiveness per minute was so high that players and coaches couldn’t ignore him. He averaged 22.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.9 assists, showcasing a more nuanced, playmaking side of his game that had developed in San Antonio but was never fully unleashed until Toronto.

His selection in 2020 was a testament to his resilience. He wasn’t at 100%, but he was still one of the top-12 players in the Western Conference. It highlighted how the voting works: it’s not just about who played the most minutes, but who had the greatest impact when on the court.

The Clippers Era: Ups and Downs in Los Angeles

Leonard’s move to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019 brought a different kind of pressure. The franchise had won hundreds of games, but they hadn’t won a playoff round. Leonard’s job was to change that, but health remained the great variable. His injury history has been severe, including multiple knee surgeries and Appendicitis. This directly affected his All-Star eligibility and selection.

In 2021, he managed to play enough games to be considered, averaging 24.8 points on efficient numbers. He was selected as a reserve All-Star, a nod to his performance despite missing significant time. However, the 2022 and 2023-24 seasons saw him miss large chunks of time due to hamstring and hip issues. The consequence? He missed the All-Star game entirely in those years.

This trajectory is rare. Most superstars build momentum. Leonard builds peaks, then reconstructs. His 2021 selection was the last time he made the game, highlighting how fragile the window of availability has become for him. When he plays, he’s elite. But the NBA rewards consistency in availability for All-Star consideration, something Leonard has struggled with in his later career.

What His Selections Tell Us About His Career

Looking at Kawhi Leonard’s All-Star journey, we see a career defined by high peaks and low valleys. He is a four-time All-Star (2016, 2017, 2020, 2021), which is a respectable number, but it doesn’t fully capture his peak dominance. Comparisons to Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan’s All-Star streaks are inevitable, but Leonard’s path is unique. He played through the era of "small ball" and defensive specialization, giving him a resume that favors efficiency over volume.

His selections were never about popularity contests. There was no marketing push, no shoe deal hype that carried him to the stage. Every single one of his four nods was earned through hard, tangible production. When he was healthy, he was arguably the best player in the West. The fact that he only made it four times says more about the health crisis that has plagued his career than it does about his ability.

FAQ: Kawhi Leonard’s All-Star Stats

How many times has Kawhi Leonard been an All-Star?

Kawhi Leonard has been selected as an NBA All-Star four times: in 2016, 2017, 2020, and 2021.

Which teams was he playing for during his All-Star selections?

He made the team twice with the San Antonio Spurs (2016 and 2017) and twice with the Los Angeles Clippers (2020 and 2021). Note: He joined the Clippers in 2019, so all his recent selections occurred while with LA.

Did Kawhi Leonard ever start in an All-Star Game?

No. Despite being a perennial MVP candidate and a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Leonard was never voted in as a starter. He has exclusively appeared as a reserve selection, which underscores how voters prioritize scoring volume and media presence for starting spots over two-way versatility.

Why hasn’t he been an All-Star recently?

Leonard has missed significant time in recent seasons due to severe injuries, including knee and hip complications. Since the All-Star vote heavily weighs recent performance and availability, his absence from the court for large stretches of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons resulted in him missing the selection.