LeBron James, who turned 40 last month, has extended his record by being named an NBA All-Star for the 21st time.
The Los Angeles Lakers star was named a starter for the midseason showcase after surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 19 selections last year.
James headlines the Western Conference starting lineup, joined by reigning MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry.
In the Eastern Conference, Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo led fan voting for the second consecutive year. He is joined by Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, and New York Knicks team-mates Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
All-Star Starters
Eastern Conference
- Jalen Brunson (Knicks)
- Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers)
- Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks)
- Jayson Tatum (Celtics)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
Western Conference
- Stephen Curry (Warriors)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)
- Kevin Durant (Suns)
- LeBron James (Lakers)
- Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)
22nd season. 21st All-Star appearance 😳
LeBron will be the first player at age 40 or older to start an All-Star Game in NBA history 👑 pic.twitter.com/5j3VroLNGh
— ESPN (@espn) January 24, 2025
Durant, earning his 15th selection, now ties Hall of Famers Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and Shaquille O’Neal.
Only James, Abdul-Jabbar, and Kobe Bryant (18) have more. Jokic, with seven All-Star appearances, continues to shine, averaging 30.1 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 9.9 assists this season. Curry, making his 11th appearance, edged Luka Doncic for a starting spot.
In the East, Brunson secured his first All-Star start in a tight race for the backcourt alongside Mitchell. Other notable starters include Antetokounmpo, now a nine-time All-Star, and Tatum, making his sixth appearance. Towns will start for the first time after previously appearing as a reserve.
This year’s All-Star teams will be selected through a new format, featuring three squads composed of 24 All-Stars and the winners of the Rising Stars Challenge.
The coaches for the game are Mark Daignault (Thunder) and Kenny Atkinson (Cavaliers), with assistant coaches from their teams leading additional squads. Reserves will be announced next week.
