New York (AFP) – Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic continued to lead all vote-getters in returns released Thursday for starting spots in next month’s NBA All-Star Game. Greek star Antetokounmpo, the NBA’s leading scorer and a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, topped the Eastern Conference frontcourt voting with 2,721,339 votes, while Jokic paced the Western Conference frontcourt with 2,277,723 votes.
Fan voting counts for 50% in deciding starters for the February 16 contest in San Francisco, with a media panel and current NBA players each accounting for 25% of final totals. All-Star Game starters will be revealed on January 23. The NBA has changed the format for the 2025 matchup, with a four-team tournament replacing the old two-team system. Squads picked by Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith will be joined by the Rising Stars Challenge winners, guided by Women’s NBA legend Candace Parker.
Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued to lead Western Conference guards with 1,811,050 votes, while Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball remained atop Eastern Conference guards with 1,490,227 votes. Jayson Tatum of the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics was third in overall voting and second in the East frontcourt behind Antetokounmpo with 2,224,086 votes, with New York’s Karl-Anthony Towns third on 1,872,228.
Behind Ball in the East backcourt were Donovan Mitchell of NBA overall season leader Cleveland with 1,181,310 votes, and Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard with 1,019,739 votes. In the West frontcourt, three-time NBA MVP Jokic was followed by Phoenix’s Kevin Durant with 1,983,680 votes and four-time MVP LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, of the Los Angeles Lakers with 1,981,529 votes. Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, was fourth with 1,630,948 votes, just ahead of Lakers star Anthony Davis with 1,528,262 votes.
Behind Gilgeous-Alexander in West backcourt voting, Golden State’s Stephen Curry moved into second with 1,369,365 votes, overtaking Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic, who is now third overall with 1,344,205 votes.
© 2024 AFP
