2021 NBA All-Star Game starters announcement: Live stream, watch online, top vote-getters, time, TV channel
Here is everything you need to know before the starters for the All-Star Game get announced Thursday night
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2 min read
After cancelling the original 2021 All-Star Game in Indianapolis, and so much doubt surrounding the idea of hosting the event this season, the NBA made its plans official to hold the 2021 All-Star Game in Atlanta on March 7, with some major changes. Yet before we can get to the actual game, rosters have to be selected, and after weeks of voting, things are beginning to take shape for the annual event.
The starters and captains for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game will be announced Thursday night, with the reserves soon to follow and the rest of the All-Star festivities not far behind. So with that in mind, here is everything you need to know about Thursday night's All-Star starters announcement.
When will the starters be announced?
- Date: Thursday, Feb. 18 | 7 p.m. ET
- TV: TNT (on "NBA on TNT")
Current voting numbers
Voting closed on Tuesday, Feb. 16, but the last publicly released data on voting totals came last Thursday. As it stands right now, here are the top 10 vote-getters in each category for both conferences.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
| FRONTCOURT | GUARDS |
|---|---|
LeBron James (LAL): 4,369,533 | Stephen Curry (GS): 4,033,050 |
Nikola Jokic (DEN): 3,006,981 | Luka Doncic (DAL): 2,484,552 |
Kawhi Leonard (LAC): 2,462,621 | Damian Lillard (POR): 2,095,157 |
Anthony Davis (LAL): 2,329,371 | Donovan Mitchell (UTA): 479,241 |
Paul George (LAC): 1,024,233 | Ja Morant (MEM): 437,632 |
Zion Williamson (NO): 842,439 | Devin Booker (PHO): 391,116 |
Andrew Wiggins (GS): 552,661 | Chris Paul (PHO): 278,128 |
Christian Wood (DET): 525,018 | Klay Thompson (GS): 225,169 |
Brandon Ingram (NO): 433,041 | CJ McCollum (POR): 218,160 |
Carmelo Anthony (POR): 346,812 | Alex Caruso (LAL): 214,997 |
EASTERN CONFERENCE
| FRONTCOURT | GUARDS |
|---|---|
Kevin Durant (BKN): 4,234,433 | Bradley Beal (WAS): 2,528,719 |
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL): 3,282,478 | Kyrie Irving (BKN): 2,104,130 |
Joel Embiid (PHI): 3,022,105 | James Harden (BKN): 1,829,504 |
Jayson Tatum (BOS): 1,680,780 | Jaylen Brown (BOS): 1,062,888 |
Jimmy Butler (MIA): 662,691 | Zach LaVine (CHI): 936,309 |
Bam Adebayo (MIA): 578,133 | Trae Young (ATL): 737,126 |
Domantas Sabonis (IND): 397,711 | Collin Sexton (CLE): 365,942 |
Julius Randle (NY): 387,114 | Derrick Rose (DET): 342,177 |
Gordon Hayward (CHA): 352,667 | Russell Westbrook (WAS): 339,498 |
Jerami Grant (DET): 282,605 | Fred VanVleet (TOR): 255,161 |
How the selection process works
For All-Star starters, fan voting accounts for 50 percent of the equation, while the remaining 50 percent is split in half: 25 percent to the media and 25 percent to the players. This allows for the players who really deserve to get in to be voted in by their peers or the media, rather than the fans voting in someone like Klay Thompson, who hasn't played since 2019, or Alex Caruso, who is solid but very obviously not an All-Star-caliber player.
When it comes to the reserves for each conference, the 30 head coaches are the voting party that determines who get those final spots. If a player drops out due to injury, or in this year's case if a player opts out for any reason, the commissioner is allowed to name his replacement.
What comes next?
While the starters may be named Thursday night, the selection process is far from over. Here are the other important dates to know as we approach All-Star Weekend:
- Reserves announced: Tuesday, Feb. 23 (on "NBA on TNT")
- 2021 All-Star Game: Sunday, March 7
