NBA All-Star Game Announcement
The anticipation for this year’s NBA All-Star Game is mounting, with the spotlight on the announcement of the starting players for both the Eastern and Western conferences due today, January 19, at 2 p.m. ET. Fans can catch the reveal during NBC’s pre-game coverage prior to the matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Fan Voting and Front-Runners
In the lead-up to the announcement, the NBA shared the results of two rounds of fan voting, hinting at the front-runners for the coveted starter spots. Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks seem to be strong contenders, having each amassed over 2 million fan votes in the latest tally released on January 6.
Selection Process
Understanding the selection process for the NBA All-Stars is crucial for fans. Each year, 24 players are chosen, divided equally between the two conferences, with no positional restrictions. The starting 10 players (five from each conference) are determined through a combination of votes: 50% from fans, 25% from current NBA players, and 25% from a panel of media members.
On February 1, the league will announce the 14 reserves (seven for each conference), chosen by NBA head coaches. This year introduces a unique twist; Commissioner Adam Silver may appoint additional All-Stars to fulfill the requirement of having at least 16 U.S.-born and eight international players on the rosters, which could even include American players with international ties.
Media Voting Ballot
As part of the media voting, my ballot included:
- Eastern Conference:
– Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons)
– Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers)
– Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
– Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
– Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) - Western Conference:
– Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
– Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
– Luka Dončić (Los Angeles Lakers)
– Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
– Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets)
Predictions for Starters
Based on the latest fan voting results, here are predictions for who is likely to be named starters:
- Eastern Conference:
– Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons)
– Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers)
– Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
– Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks)
– Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) - Western Conference:
– Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
– Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
– Luka Dončić (Los Angeles Lakers)
– Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
– Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets)
Upcoming All-Star Game
Mark your calendars, as the thrilling 2026 NBA All-Star Game is slated for Sunday, February 15, at 5 p.m. ET, taking place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
This summary of potential All-Star selections provides insight into the players who could shine in the upcoming showcase, offering a peek into the excitement surrounding one of the NBA’s marquee events.
