Last year, it took some work, but eventually Jeremy Lin ’10 made the Rookie-Sophomore Challenge at the 2012 All-Star Weekend. This year, expectations were higher as many thought Lin might make the weekend’s main event—Sunday night’s All-Star Game, featuring the best and brightest from both NBA conferences. The anticipation was enhanced by the fact that this season’s festivities are taking place in his team’s home arena in Houston, Tex. But the Harvard alum just missed out on collecting enough fan votes to start in the Game, meaning his only remaining option was to hope that the NBA coaches would select him as an all-star reserve. On Thursday afternoon, live on TNT, the coaches’ choices were revealed. Lin did not make the team.

The lack of inclusion did not come as a surprise to most, who considered the fan’s vote to be his only real shot at collecting a spot on the squad during to an up-and-down season for the third-year guard. Even Lin, after a recent loss to the Dallas Mavericks, responded with a simple “Uh, no” when asked whether he felt he should make the Western Conference team.

While Lin may not have made the cut, fellow Rocket and backcourt-mate James Harden did. Harden will play with former teammates and Oklahoma City Thunder members Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook when the games begin on Feb. 17.