NBA All-Star voting has reached a point where the overall picture is becoming clearer. With the second set of fan returns now public, the picture at the top has stayed mostly the same, offering a clearer look at which players have separated themselves and which races still have room to shift before ballots close next week.
The Leaders and the Chasers: NBA All-Star Voting
Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo continue to sit at the center of the conversation in NBA All-Star voting, holding onto their spots as the leading vote-getters in the Western and Eastern Conferences. Dončić’s first full season in Los Angeles has kept him firmly in focus, and his production explains why fans have continued to support him. He has led the league in scoring for much of the season and delivered multiple big scoring performances that stand out even among the league’s best guards.
Milwaukee’s results have varied, but Antetokounmpo’s individual play has remained consistent throughout the voting cycle. Even after missing time earlier in the season, he has continued to put up strong scoring, rebounding, and playmaking numbers whenever he has been on the floor. That steady production has helped him maintain his position among Eastern Conference players despite changes around him.
Behind the two leaders, the races have tightened as All-Star voting has moved into its later stages. Nikola Jokić remains close behind Dončić in the West, while Stephen Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continue to draw strong support. In the East, Jalen Brunson’s rise since the first returns has been one of the more noticeable developments. A strong scoring stretch in December helped him move ahead of Tyrese Maxey and into the mix near the top.
What stands out in both conferences is how narrow the margins are once you move past the leading name in All-Star voting. Several players remain close enough that a strong finish, or a late push during bonus voting days, could still affect the order before ballots close.
What the Voting Format Means Going Forward
This season’s All-Star process gives fans half of the influence in selecting starters, with players and media accounting for the other half. With selections no longer tied to positions, All-Star voting results are based on total votes rather than positions.
Timing remains a factor as well. Voting closes Jan. 14, with bonus vote days still scheduled before the deadline. In past seasons, late movement has been common among players sitting just outside the starting group, especially when teams gain added attention in the final stretch.
The starters will be announced Jan. 19 ahead of this year’s All-Star Game on Feb. 15 in Los Angeles. The league will also introduce a new game format, featuring U.S. players and international players in a round-robin setup.
For now, the second returns point to stability at the very top and uncertainty everywhere else. With several players separated by slim margins, the final days of All-Star voting are still likely to shape the outcome.
