Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently leading the fan balloting for the NBA All-Star Game, with over 1.7 million votes. Following closely behind is Denver's Nikola Jokic with approximately 1.4 million votes, the highest among Western Conference players.
The top 10 players in the fan voting include Antetokounmpo, Boston's Jayson Tatum, New York's Karl-Anthony Towns, Charlotte's LaMelo Ball, Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell, Jokic, Phoenix's Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Dallas' Luka Doncic, and LeBron James from the West.
However, this year's All-Star Game will feature a new format with three games instead of the traditional one. The 24 All-Stars will be divided into three teams of eight players each, drafted by TNT personalities and former NBA stars Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith. The fourth team will consist of NBA rookies and second-year players who win the Rising Stars event.
The tournament will have two semifinal games, with the winners advancing to a championship game. The first team to reach 40 points will be declared the overall winner. This format marks a significant departure from last year's high-scoring All-Star Game, which ended with a final score of 211-186.
Voting for the All-Star Game will continue until January 20th, with fan voting accounting for 50% of the selection process. Media voting will contribute 25%, while current NBA players' votes will make up the remaining 25%. The announcement of the 10 starters, out of at least 15 for the 'games,' is scheduled for January 23rd, with reserves selected by NBA head coaches to be revealed on January 30th.
Excitement is building for the upcoming All-Star Game on February 16th in San Francisco, as fans eagerly await the final roster and the unique three-game format that promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for players and viewers alike.
