2025 NBA All-Star starters bared

Sports

THE starters for the upcoming 2025 All-Star Game were announced on Friday (Philippine time), January 24, with LeBron James earning his record-extending 21st appearance in the gathering of the league’s brightes stars.

The 40-year-old James, who extended his record after surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 19 selections last season, will be joined in the Western Conference starting lineup by Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry.

This year’s top vote-getter, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, leads the starters for the East-All Stars, which will also have Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell and New York Knicks teammates Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

The starting lineups were chosen from a hybrid voting system, with 50% of the vote coming from fan ballots, and 25% from both the media and current players.

The seven reserves of the two All-Star teams will be announced next week. The reserve selection will be based on the voting by each conference's coaches.

Coaching the West All-Stars is Oklahoma’s Mark Daignault while Kenny Atkinson of Cleveland will call the shots for the East All-Stars.

The All-Star Game is scheduled on February 17 at the Chase Center, the homecourt of the Golden State Warriors.(CCM)