The starters for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game have been announced, and some familiar faces lead the way.
The announcement came on TNT’s on Thursday night, before tipoff between the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat.
Check out the starting five for each conference below:
Eastern Conference Starting FiveJalen Brunson, New York KnicksDonovan Mitchell, Cleveland CavaliersKarl-Anthony Towns, New York KnicksGiannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee BucksJayson Tatum, Boston CelticsWestern Conference Starting FiveStephen Curry, Golden State WarriorsShai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City ThunderKevin Durant, Phoenix SunsLeBron James, Los Angeles LakersNikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
The term “starting five” is a bit confusing this year, as the All-Star Game has changed its format for this year’s exhibition.
Rather than putting conference against conference, or having two teams selected by player captains (the format used in recent years), this year’s event will see four teams of eight players—three selected by hosts Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal, and the fourth team coming from the winner of the Rising Stars championship game.
While the format is clearly different, the selection process remains a combination of voting from fans, current players, and media members. With the starting five from each conference now determined, our attention now falls to the All-Star reserves, which will be announced on Thursday, Jan. 30.