Giannis, LeBron top initial All-Star fan voting
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James are the leading vote-getters in each conference in the first returns of All-Star fan voting released Thursday.
James and Antetokounmpo are trailed by Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns and reigning MVP Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers in the Western Conference and Eastern Conference frontcourts, respectively.
Meanwhile, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, who currently leads the NBA with 12.7 assists per game, received nearly 1.4 million votes and is the only backcourt star in the East to surpass the 1-million mark. Luka Doncic is the top vote-getter in the West among all guards.
LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo lead their respective conferences in the first fan returns of #NBAAllStar Voting presented by AT&T.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 4, 2024
Fans account for 50% of the vote to decide All-Star starters. NBA players and a media panel account for 25% each.
Next fan update: 1/11. pic.twitter.com/KbFeBRTsnF
Fan voting returns will be released every Thursday prior to the deadline for supporters on Jan. 20. That will constitute 50% of the final vote, with the remaining 50% evenly split between selections by current players and a media panel.
The starters in the midseason exhibition, which returns to the classic East vs. West format this season, will be unveiled Jan. 25 on TNT. The reserves - selected by NBA head coaches - will be announced Feb. 1 on the network.
Indianapolis hosts the 2024 All-Star Game on Feb. 18.