NBA All-Star Game: The Top Candidates for Each Conference
by Tyler Doty | by Tyler Doty
New Format Gives More of the NBA’s Best a Chance to Start in the All-Star Game(s)
Get ready for more star power than ever during the 2025 NBA All-Star game(s). No, that doesn’t mean rosters are expanding. However, with the format change this season, everyone will need to play; there will be no room for someone just to play for a few minutes and sit on the bench.
With the 12 players named all-stars for each conference getting drafted onto one of three teams of eight, everyone will need to play. Ten players will be designated as starters for each conference, but 15 players will actually need to start.
Since each roster will have just three reserves, that means fans will get to see their favorite all-star play more, even if he isn’t Jayson Tatum, Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, or Giannis Antetokounmpo. But who will the all-stars be?
Let’s go over some of the likely candidates. Be sure to check out our dedicated page for the latest NBA predictions!
Top Vote Getters From the East and West
Injuries will likely keep several fan favorites sidelined this year, either because they haven’t played much and/or they’re still recovering. Luka Doncic (Mavericks) has been out with a calf injury since Christmas Day. Kyrie Irving's back injury will likely keep him out, as will Franz Wagner’s oblique injury.
Joel Embiid’s injury issues will keep him from getting selected, too. Jimmy Butler will not have the votes, and his drama in Miami could keep coaches from voting for him. With all the time Ja Morant has missed due to injuries, coaches will probably not vote him in, either.
As of Jan. 20, the top ten from fan votes are:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo — 3,489,956
- Nikola Jokic — 2,924,436
- Jayson Tatum — 2,842,956
- LeBron James — 2,591,287
- Kevin Durant — 2,498,843
- Karl-Anthony Towns — 2,455,331
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — 2,405,404
- Victor Wembanyama — 2,200,173
- LaMelo Ball — 1,908,967
- Anthony Davis — 1,906,962
Eastern Conference
Should the list remain unchanged, the official ‘starters’ for the Eastern Conference would be LaMelo Ball (Hornets) and Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers) for the Eastern Conference backcourt and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), Jayson Tatum (Celtics), and Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks) for the frontcourt spots.
As for the reserves chosen by a coaches vote, there are several worthy candidates this year:
- Jaylen Brown (Celtics)
- Jalen Brunson (Knicks)
- Trae Young (Hawks)
- Evan Mobley (Cavaliers)
- Jarred Allen (Cavaliers)
- Darius Garland (Cavaliers)
- Damian Lillard (Bucks)
- Pascal Siakam (Pacers)
- Tyrese Maxey (76ers)
- Cade Cunningham (Pistons)
Coaches will vote for two frontcourt players, two backcourt players, and two wild cards. They can’t, however, vote for one of their own players.
Western Conference
Unless something unexpected happens before the final votes are tallied, the official starters for the Western Conference will be Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) and Stephen Curry (Warriors) in the backcourt and Nikola Jokic (Nuggets), LeBron James (Lakers), and Kevin Durant (Suns) in the frontcourt.
Like the Eastern Conference, coaches will have plenty of excellent candidates to choose from in the Western Conference:
- Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)
- Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves)
- Anthony Davis (Lakers)
- Jarren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies)
- Jalen Green (Rockets)
- Alperen Sengun (Rockets)
- Domantas Sabonis (Kings)
- Jalen Williams (Thunder)
- Andrew Wiggins (Warriors)
- De’Aaron Fox (Kings)
- Norman Powell (Clippers)
Should Wembanyama pass Kevin Durant when the final votes are in, Durant will undoubtedly get voted in by the coaches.
The fan vote concludes on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. TNT will release the names of the ‘starters’ for each conference on Thursday, Jan. 23, with the reserves to be announced a week later on Jan. 30 during TNT NBA Tip-Off.
All-Star Weekend is Feb. 14-16 and will be held at the Chase Center in San Francisco, CA. The All-Star game will be a min-tournament of four teams, three teams of eight comprised of all-stars drafted by Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley,
The fourth team will be the winning team from the Rising Stars Challenge. Game time is 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 16.
