The NBA named five All-Star Game starters from each conference Monday, with the 10 players set to comprise three separate teams at the annual star-studded event to be held Feb. 15 at the home of the Los Angeles Clippers in Inglewood, Calif.
The Eastern Conference starters are Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics), Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons) and Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers).
The Western Conference starters are Luka Doncic
(Los Angeles Lakers), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets) and Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs).
The Lakers' LeBron James, who opened the season with a nerve issue in his back, was not named an All-Star Game starter, ending his streak of 21 consecutive seasons named among the 10 starters. He can still be added as a reserve player.
The starters were selected through fan vote, a panel of media members and a vote among NBA players. Fan vote counted for 50% of the selection process.
The selected starters will be mixed among three All-Star teams, two comprised of players from the United States and a third of international players. Those teams will compete in a round-robin tournament leading to a champion in a new All-Star Game format.
The three-team format, not bound by conference, means there will end up being five more starters named, with a total of 14 more All-Stars to be revealed at a later date.
The 10 starters named Monday were selected regardless of position for the first time. Last season, All-Star starters consisted of two guards from each conference and three frontcourt players.
--Field Level Media
