NBA Reveals 2025 All-Star Starters for San Francisco
NEW YORK, NY — The wait is over. The NBA officially announced the 10 players heading to San Francisco as starters for the 2025 All-Star Game. The list is a mix of record-breaking longevity and a brutal changing of the guard in the Eastern Conference. While the big names in the West held their ground, the East backcourt has been completely reimagined by the fans, players, and media.
The Western Conference: The Old Guard and the New Alpha
The West starters are a powerhouse of scoring titles and championship rings. There were no surprises in the frontcourt, but the guard battle came down to the wire. Here is the five-man squad:
- LeBron James (Lakers): Makes history with his 21st selection.
- Stephen Curry (Warriors): Defends his home floor at the Chase Center.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder): Beats out Luka Doncic for the starting slot.
- Kevin Durant (Suns): Continues his elite efficiency in year 18.
- Nikola Jokic (Nuggets): The three-time MVP remains the center of the basketball universe.
The biggest story in the West is **Shai Gilgeous-Alexander** securing the starter nod over Luka Doncic. SGA’s defensive metrics and the Thunder’s rise to the top of the conference standings likely tilted the player and media vote in his favor, despite Doncic’s massive counting stats.
The Eastern Conference: New York and Indy Take Over
The East has officially moved on from the isolation era. The backcourt belongs to the pass-first, high-IQ floor generals who have dominated the 2024-25 season. The starters are:
- Jalen Brunson (Knicks): Becomes the first Knicks guard to start since 1975.
- Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers): Leads the league in assists and captures the starter spot.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks): The top overall vote-getter in the East.
- Jayson Tatum (Celtics): A lock for the reigning champion’s representative.
- Joel Embiid (76ers): Holds off the “positionless” voting surge to start at center.
By selecting **Brunson and Haliburton**, voters sent a clear message. The “super-team” era of ball-dominant wings is taking a backseat to elite playmaking. This is the first time in nearly a decade that neither Kyrie Irving nor James Harden is in the starting conversation in the East.
Inside the Huddle
“The vote this year wasn’t about who has the most highlights on social media; it was about who is actually impacting winning. You look at the East backcourt—those guys are the reason their teams are title contenders.” — NBA Eastern Conference General Manager
The Bottom Line & What’s Next
The starters are locked, but the “Snub Season” has officially begun. The attention now turns to the coaches’ vote for the reserves. In the West, **Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards** are guaranteed locks for reserve spots, but the final three slots will be a bloodbath between Anthony Davis, Devin Booker, and De’Aaron Fox.
In the East, expect a heated debate over **Donovan Mitchell and Jaylen Brown**. With the Knicks and Celtics both vying for the top seed, coaches may reward team success over individual scoring averages. The reserves will be announced next Thursday, and with the trade deadline just weeks away, these selections could trigger massive contract bonuses and alter the trade value of several “fringe” All-Stars. The road to the Chase Center is now wide open.
