Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers tops the first round of fan voting for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game with 1,249,518 votes, narrowly ahead of Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who leads the East with 1,192,296. The results highlight strong support for international stars under the event's new format. Nikola Jokić follows in third overall with 1,128,962 votes.
The NBA released the initial fan voting returns on December 29, 2025, for the 2026 All-Star Game, set for February 15 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Fans account for 50 percent of the vote to select five starters per conference, with current players and media each contributing 25 percent. This year marks a shift: selections ignore traditional backcourt and frontcourt splits, leading to guard-heavy lineups in early tallies.
In the Western Conference, Dončić leads, followed by Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić (1,128,962 votes), Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (1,031,455), Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (878,621), and San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (769,362). The Eastern Conference sees Antetokounmpo ahead of Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (1,072,449), New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (1,040,601), Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (1,000,171), and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (851,155).
The new All-Star format introduces two U.S. teams and one international team in a round-robin tournament of four 12-minute games, with the top two advancing to a championship matchup decided by point differential. Each team requires at least eight players, and commissioner Adam Silver will add selections if needed to balance 16 American and eight international All-Stars. Current leaders suggest the international squad could dominate in size, featuring Antetokounmpo, Jokić, Wembanyama, and others, while U.S. teams lean on wings like Kevin Durant and LeBron James for frontcourt depth.
A '3-for-1' voting day occurs December 30, with the next update on January 6. Coaches will select reserves, blending fan enthusiasm with expert input for the revamped event.