Giannis remains overall leading vote-getter in 2nd ASG fan returns
Giannis Antetokounmpo is well on course for his ninth All-Star selection.
The Milwaukee Bucks star continues to lead all players after the second return of fan voting released Thursday, holding a near-450,000-vote lead over Denver Nuggets center and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. The two were separated by just over 288,000 votes after the first returns Jan. 2.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokić continue to lead their respective conferences in the second fan returns of #NBAAllStar Voting presented by AT&T.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 9, 2025
Fans account for 50% of the vote to decide All-Star starters. Players and a media panel account for 25% each.
Next fan update:… pic.twitter.com/oQvm99AmE5
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets also remained the most popular guards in each conference, though Golden State Warriors ball-handler Stephen Curry overtook injured Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic for second in the West.
Only about 2,000 votes separate Kevin Durant from LeBron James for the second-most fan votes among frontcourt players in the West. San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama now trails both after surpassing Anthony Davis for fourth in the conference.
Fan voting accounts for 50% of players' final tallies, with the players themselves and a media panel splitting the remaining 50%. Fan returns are released every Thursday through the final edition Jan. 20.
The final list of starters will be announced Jan. 23. The All-Star Game is set to be played Feb. 16 at the Warriors' Chase Center.