The Ten: NBA Unveils 2025 All-Star Starters for San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The votes are tallied and the starting blocks are occupied. The NBA officially announced the ten players heading to the Chase Center as starters for the 2025 All-Star Game. This year’s roster represents a collision between untouchable legends and a new guard that is currently rewriting the league’s power structure. From **LeBron James’ record-shattering 21st nod** to Jalen Brunson’s historic selection for New York, the lineup is set for a high-speed showdown in the Bay Area.
Melo 🤝 Kawhi
Carmelo Anthony gives HIGH praise to Kawhi Leonard after the Clippers secured their 16th victory in their last 19 games! https://t.co/QFswWVRQVv
— NBA (@NBA) January 28, 2026
The Western Conference: The Kings of the Coast
The West starters are a powerhouse of offensive gravity and veteran savvy. While the frontcourt was largely expected, the backcourt saw a massive shift in the hierarchy. Here are the five men leading the West:
- Stephen Curry (Warriors): Defending his home floor in San Francisco.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder): Secured the starter spot over Luka Doncic thanks to elite two-way production.
- LeBron James (Lakers): Now stands alone with **21 career All-Star selections**.
- Kevin Durant (Suns): Continues to defy age as one of the league’s most efficient scorers.
- Nikola Jokic (Nuggets): The three-time MVP remains the tactical hub of the conference.
The most debated result in the West was **Shai Gilgeous-Alexander** edging out Luka Doncic. SGA’s impact on the Thunder’s rise to the top of the Western Conference—where they currently sit with a **top-three net rating**—likely pushed him over the edge with players and media voters. He brings a defensive edge to a starting unit that usually prioritizes pure shooting.
The Eastern Conference: A Guard Revolution
In the East, the story is all about the ball-handlers. For the first time in nearly 50 years, a New York Knicks guard will start the mid-season classic. The East starters are:
- Jalen Brunson (Knicks): The first Knicks guard to start since Walt Frazier in 1975.
- Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers): The league’s assist leader captures the hearts of the voters again.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks): Led the East in total fan votes.
- Jayson Tatum (Celtics): The face of the reigning champion Celtics is a lock.
- Joel Embiid (76ers): Despite a season of “load management,” his per-game dominance secured the center spot.
The pairing of **Brunson and Haliburton** signals a major move away from the isolation-heavy scoring guards of the 2010s. Both players rank in the **95th percentile for playmaking efficiency**, suggesting the East plans to play a high-octane, pass-first style of basketball that could overwhelm the West’s aging stars in transition.
Inside the Huddle
“You look at the East backcourt and you see two guys who were told they weren’t ‘franchise’ players a few years ago. Now they’re starting over the biggest names in the sport. That tells you everything you need to know about where this league is heading.” — NBA Eastern Conference Executive
The Bottom Line & What’s Next
The starters are official, but the “Snub List” is already causing a stir. **Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards, and Anthony Davis** are now in the hands of the coaches for the reserve spots, which will be announced on January 30th. For the Mavericks, Doncic’s omission from the starting five is likely to fuel another scoring tear as he looks to reclaim his MVP momentum.
Expect the 2025 game to be more than an exhibition. With the game returning to the East-vs-West format and being hosted in the Warriors’ backyard, the pressure is on Curry and LeBron to protect their home turf. Watch the betting lines once the reserves are named; the East has the size, but the West has the most diverse scoring threats in history. The road to San Francisco just got very crowded.
