LeBron James was named an NBA All-Star for a career-high 20th time as starters from each conference were confirmed for next month’s showpiece game.
James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record for most All-Star appearances, and by receiving the most votes in the West, he is captain of the conference starting five – joined by Kevin Durant, Nikola , Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
In the East, Giannis Antetokounmpo topped the votes to be named captain, with the Bucks superstar joined by Joel Embiid, Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard and Jayson Tatum.
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“You never want to take it for granted,” Tatum said. “For the fans to vote for me on a regular basis is truly an honor. I grew up wanting to be at All-Star Weekend every year and living that dream in real time is pretty cool. I’m very grateful.”
Milwaukee, which fired coach Adrian Griffin this week despite the team’s 31-13 record, is the only team with multiple All-Star starters in Antetokounmpo and Lillard.
The biggest names to be missed are naturally being discussed in the aftermath, with Jalen Brunson’s exclusion sparking blowback from the NBA world amid a career-best season from the Knicks star – he averages 26.6 points per game and 65 assists.
All-Star starters are chosen by a combination of fan votes (50 percent), player votes (25 percent) and media votes (25 percent).
Meanwhile, the reserves, who will be announced next week, are chosen exclusively by coaches’ vote – they must select two guards and three frontcourt players and have two wildcard selections.
This year, the NBA returned to the original format for the Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference All-Star Game – instead of starters and reserves being voted on by their conference, but teams then being chosen by one or the other of the captains.
NBA ALL-STAR STARTERS 2024
Western Conference
LeBron James (captain)
Kevin Durant
Nikola Jokic
Luka Doncic
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Eastern Conference
Giannis Antetokounmpo (captain)
Jayson Tatum
Joel Embiid
Tyrese Haliburton
Damien Lillard
