Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic emerge front-runners in NBA All-Star Game voting

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic are leading the initial fan voting results for the upcoming NBA All-Star Game, as announced by the league on Thursday.

Fan votes constitute 50% of the total count for determining the starting players in the All-Star Game, which is scheduled for February 16 in San Francisco. The remaining 50% is divided equally between a media panel and current NBA players, each contributing 25% to the final tally.

The NBA has introduced a new format for the 2025 All-Star Game, transitioning from a two-team system to a four-team tournament. Teams will be selected by Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith, and will include the winners of the Rising Stars Challenge, mentored by WNBA icon Candace Parker.

In the first report of overall voting, Antetokounmpo leads the Eastern Conference frontcourt with 1,710,630 votes, followed by Boston's Jayson Tatum with 1,385,851 votes and New York's Karl-Anthony Towns with 1,099,966 votes. Orlando's Paolo Banchero ranks fourth with 484,096 votes.

In the Eastern Conference guard category, Charlotte's LaMelo Ball is in the lead with 947,444 votes, followed by Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell with 718,084 votes and Milwaukee's Damian Lillard with 704,914 votes.

In the Western Conference forwards, Jokic is the top vote-getter with 1,422,121 votes, followed by Phoenix's Kevin Durant with 1,268,799 votes and LeBron James with 1,167,661 votes. Anthony Davis, James's teammate on the Los Angeles Lakers, is fourth with 999,540 votes, while French player Victor Wembanyama of San Antonio is fifth with 928,501 votes.

Among Western Conference guards, Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads with 1,053,683 votes, with Slovenian star Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks in second place with 870,071 votes.

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors ranked third with 810,357 votes, while Kyrie Irving from the Dallas Mavericks followed in fourth place with 503,567 votes. Minnesota's Anthony Edwards secured fifth place with a total of 411,749 votes.

SportsLigue