NBA All-Star voting 2026: Takeaways from first fan vote returns to decide starting lineups

Jeremy Beren

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NBA All-Star voting 2026: Takeaways from first fan vote returns to decide starting lineups image

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The NBA on Monday announced the first returns from fan voting for the 2026 All-Star Game, in an initial glimpse as to which players will start the highly anticipated exhibition in Inglewood, Calif.

The All-Star Game format this year will undergo a significant change that extends to fan voting. This year, the top 10 vote-getters — regardless of position — will be named to the starting lineup for the Eastern and Western Conference teams.

Moreover, NBA commissioner Adam Silver has confirmed a first-ever "United States vs. The World" format. Three teams of eight players each — two made of American NBA stars, the other made up of the league's international stars — will compete in a round-robin tournament of four 12-minute games to determine the winner of the All-Star Game.

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NBA All-Star Game voting results 2026

Top 10 vote-getters

  1. Luka Doncic — 1,249,518
  2. Giannis Antetokounmpo — 1,192,296
  3. Nikola Jokic — 1,128,962
  4. Tyrese Maxey — 1,072,449
  5. Jalen Brunson — 1,040,601
  6. Stephen Curry — 1,031,455
  7. Cade Cunningham — 1,000,171
  8. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — 878,621
  9. Donovan Mitchell — 851,155
  10. Jaylen Brown — 808,276

Giannis reigns supreme

At this time last year, Giannis Antetokounmpo led all players in fan votes received for the All-Star Game. This year, he ranks second, only behind Luka Doncic, who has changed teams in that time.

While Doncic now plays for the Lakers, in the massive Los Angeles media market, Antetokounmpo remains in Milwaukee, where his playing future has come under enhanced scrutiny in recent months. Though the Bucks are struggling with a 13-19 record, Antetokounmpo remains a beloved figure in Cream City, and he seems a lock not only to make his 10th All-Star game, but to start it as well.

LeBron lags behind Deni Avdija

In an indication that the NBA is starting to leave LeBron James behind after more than two decades, the first round of fan voting revealed a major shock: Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdjia received more votes than the league's all-time leading scorer.

Avdija is enjoying a career year in Portland. Thanks in part to his ability to draw fouls, Avdija is averaging 25.5 points per game, far and away a career high, and has surged to seventh in Western Conference fan voting with 606,299 votes received.

James' record-breaking 23rd NBA season started late due to sciatica. He has been named to 21 consecutive All-Star teams, one of many unique achievements in his legendary career, but he has some catching up to in the weeks ahead.

With 536,555 votes received, James ranks just ninth among West vote-getters.

Maxey, Cunningham lead a new generation

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey and Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham each received more than 1 million votes in the first round of returns, which puts both young guards on track to start the All-Star Game for the first time.

Cunningham is regarded as an MVP candidate for his role in guiding the upstart Pistons to the top of the East. The 24-year-old is averaging a career-best 26.5 points and 9.6 assists per game; Detroit is 24-8, 1.5 games better than the New York Knicks.

Maxey, an All-Star two seasons ago, is on pace for a career year as the 76ers pursue a return to the playoffs. The 25-year-old is one of the top scorers in the NBA, averaging 30.7 points per game.

It seems these two East guards will have quite a lot of staying power; both received more votes than Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA's reigning MVP, during this first round of fan voting.

There is no Holmgren-Wembanyama rivalry

The first returns from All-Star fan voting have proven Victor Wembanyama's point: Chet Holmgren is not his direct rival.

Wembanyama's popularity is crescendoing — just as the San Antonio Spurs have re-emerged as a serious threat in the West. It has corresponded to Wemby placing fifth among all players in the West with 769,362 fan votes received to this point. 

In contrast, Thunder big man Holmgren ranks 19th with 92,210 votes received.

When will the NBA share fan vote returns?

The NBA is expected to share returns from All-Star Game fan voting on at least one more occasion. Voting concludes on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

  • Monday, Dec. 29:  First fan vote return
  • Tuesday, Jan. 6:  Second fan vote return
  • Wednesday, Jan. 14: Voting ends

When will the NBA All-Star Game starters be announced?

Starters for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game will be revealed in the third or fourth full week of January, with reserves named shortly thereafter.

When is the 2026 NBA All-Star Game?

  • Date:  Sunday, Feb. 15
  • Time: 5 p.m. ET | 2 p.m. PT
  • Location: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, Calif.

The 2026 NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, Feb. 15 at the Intuit Dome, home of the Los Angeles Clippers. The game is scheduled to tip off around 5 p.m. ET, and it will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.

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Contributing Writer