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Charles Barkley said he had a list of NBA All-Stars. He didn't, which is good news for Joel Embiid.

It appears Joel Embiid's viral campaign to be named a starter in the NBA All-Star Game is still alive. 
On Wednesday morning, Sixers fans were given a bit of a downer when TNT basketball analyst Charles Barkely seemed to reveal that Joel Embiid hadn’t been selected as an All-Star starter.  

Barkley told 97.5 The Fanatic morning host Anthony Gargano he was given a list of starters that would be revealed on TNT's NBA Tip-Off on Thursday night at 7 p.m.. The former Sixers star said he'd consider picking Embiid as a reserve player, inadvertently revealing that Embiid hadn't been named a starter. 

But after speaking with Barkley, a source at Turner Broadcasting confirmed he had no such list, because the final tally of votes hasn’t yet been released by the league. It’s unclear what list Barkley was referring to when he seemed to inadvertently reveal that Embiid didn’t make the cut.

Barkley could not be reached for comment.

“I can’t tell you who’s on the list, because now we’ve got to work on our reserves,” Barkley told Gargano. “I think there’s an outside chance that I’m going to put [Embiid] on my all-star reserves, just because I think he’s reinvigorated the Sixers and the city of Philadelphia.”

Listen:

The voting deadline for this year’s All-Star Game ended at midnight on Monday. Votes by fans (including those cast on social media) make up 50 percent of the results to determine the 10 starters. Ballots cast by NBA players and a panel of basketball reporters and analysts make up the rest of the results. 

At one point, the NBA released voting results showing Embiid closing in on Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love for the third spot, which led to a late push of support by everyone from Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz to Angels star Mike Trout. Former Sixers GM Sam Hinkie offered his support, and even the WWE's The Big Show pitched in to help get Embiid over the top. 

If Embiid ultimately isn't selected as a starter on the All-Star squad, he could still make the team and get playing time as a reserve player. A list of the All-Star reserve players, who are selected by current NBA coaches, will be announced next week on TNT on Thursday, Jan. 26. 
The NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 19 in New Orleans.

You can listen to Barkley's full interview with Gargano here.

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