The fan voting for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game has officially closed (the deadline was 11:59 PM ET on January 14). The starters are scheduled to be revealed on Monday, January 19, 2026.
While the final tabulated results and official starters will be announced around January 19, 2026, the Second Fan Voting Returns (released January 6) give us the clearest picture of who will likely be starting in the new “USA vs. World” format.
Top Vote Getters (Second Returns)
For the first time, voting this year was positionless (no separate categories for Guards vs. Frontcourt), significantly shaking up the leaderboards.
Western Conference Leaders
1. Luka Dončić (Lakers): 2,229,811 votes (Overall Vote Leader)
2. Nikola Jokić (Nuggets): 1,998,560 votes
3. Stephen Curry (Warriors): 1,844,903 votes
4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder): 1,554,468 votes
5. Victor Wembanyama (Spurs): 1,321,985 votes
Notable: LeBron James (Lakers) was 8th in the West (~1.06M votes), trailing players like Anthony Edwards and Deni Avdija.
Also Read : NBA All Star Voting Error
Eastern Conference Leaders
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks): 2,092,284 votes (Top East Vote-Getter)
2. Jalen Brunson (Knicks): 1,916,497 votes
3. Tyrese Maxey (76ers): 1,908,978 votes
4. Cade Cunningham (Pistons): 1,752,801 votes
5. Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers): 1,530,237 votes
New 2026 Format: USA vs. World (3-Team Tournament)
This year features a major format change. Instead of “East vs. West,” the game will feature three teams competing in a round-robin tournament:
Team USA 1 (8 players)
Team USA 2 (8 players)
Team World (8+ International players)
Because Luka Dončić (Lakers) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks) are the top vote-getters, they are virtually locked as captains/leaders for the “World” contingent.
What to Watch For
Luka on the Lakers: His massive vote lead is partly attributed to his first season playing in Los Angeles, combining his global fanbase with the massive Lakers voting bloc.
LeBron’s Streak: Currently 8th in West voting, LeBron James is at risk of missing a starting spot for the first time in years, though he is still expected to make the roster for his 22nd All-Star appearance.
Official Announcement: The starters are scheduled to be revealed on Monday, January 19, 2026.
Be the first to comment