The East’s Elite: Giannis and Tatum Headline 2025 All-Star Starting Five
NEW YORK — The bright lights of San Francisco’s Chase Center just found their leading men for the Eastern Conference. After weeks of fan debates, player polls, and media scrutiny, the NBA officially announced the five players who will represent the East at the 74th All-Star Game. Giannis Antetokounmpo stands at the center of it all, claiming the captaincy yet again, flanked by a group of scorers and playmakers who have defined the first half of the season.
🏀 THURSDAY’S FINAL SCORES 🏀
Austin Reaves excels as the @Lakers win a tight one at home!
LeBron James: 17 PTS, 10 AST
Rui Hachimura: 14 PTS, 7 REB
Jake LaRavia: 14 PTS, 3 STL https://t.co/IadnfxcX6i pic.twitter.com/mPPILvgUHJ— NBA (@NBA) February 6, 2026
A Frontcourt of Giants
There was little doubt about the three names that would occupy the frontcourt slots. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, and Joel Embiid locked down their positions with a stranglehold. Tatum has the Celtics sitting comfortably atop the conference standings, playing some of the most disciplined basketball of his career. Meanwhile, Embiid’s return to dominance after early-season health questions reminded everyone why the MVP trophy often goes through Philadelphia.
The real drama, however, lived in the backcourt. Tyrese Haliburton and Donovan Mitchell secured the starting nods, rewarding the Indiana Pacers’ high-octane offense and Mitchell’s nightly scoring clinics in Cleveland. While the stats favor their inclusion, the selection leaves New York City in a frenzy, as Knicks star Jalen Brunson narrowly missed the starting cut despite a massive surge in the fan vote during the final week.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks): Leading the East in total fan votes.
- Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics): Averaging nearly 30 points per game for the league-best C’s.
- Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers): A double-double machine who reclaimed his spot despite a slow start.
- Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers): Leading the league in assists and pace of play.
- Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers): The engine behind Cleveland’s hunt for a top-two seed.
Inside the Huddle
“Walking onto that court as a starter isn’t just about a jersey. It’s about the respect of the guys you’ve been battling in the trenches since October. When you see your name up there with Giannis and Tatum, you know the work actually paid off.” — Eastern Conference Scout
The Bottom Line & What’s Next
The focus now shifts to the benches. With the starters set, the Eastern Conference coaches have a brutal task ahead of them. They must fill the reserve spots from a pool of talent that includes Jalen Brunson, Jaylen Brown, and Bam Adebayo. The “snub” discourse is already heating up in New York and Miami. Expect the full reserve rosters to be announced next Thursday, which will likely trigger another wave of debate over whether the weighted voting system—giving players and media 50% of the power—properly balances popularity with pure on-court production. The East looks deep, but beating the West’s size in San Francisco will require every bit of the scoring punch this starting five provides.
