NBA All-Star 2026: Picking the Western Conference starters
With the fan voting window officially closing on January 14, the debate over the 2026 NBA All-Star starters has reached its fever pitch. As the league prepares to descend upon the Intuit Dome in Inglewood for the 75th edition of the midseason classic, the selection process for the Western Conference has become a battle between established legends and a terrifying new guard. While the game itself will feature a revamped three-team tournament format, the prestige of being named a conference starter remains the ultimate individual validation.
In the backcourt, the hierarchy has solidified. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is no longer just a rising star; he is the MVP frontrunner powering the Oklahoma City Thunder. His two-way dominance makes him an undeniable lock. Beside him, Luka Dončić continues to manipulate defenses with a proficiency that feels routine. Despite a strong push from Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards and the evergreen Stephen Curry—who remains a massive fan favorite in his home state—the statistical brilliance of Dončić and the team success of Gilgeous-Alexander make them the definitive starting duo.
The frontcourt selection offers the most intrigue, particularly with the game being hosted in Los Angeles. Nikola Jokić is the easiest pick on the board; the Nuggets’ maestro is arguably playing the most efficient basketball of his career. The second spot belongs to Victor Wembanyama. In his third season, the Spurs’ phenomenon has leaped from potential to production, anchoring the league’s best defense and captivating the global audience.
That leaves the final frontcourt spot, a decision steeped in narrative and legacy. While Anthony Davis has been the defensive backbone for the Lakers, LeBron James is the inevitable choice. Playing in his 23rd season, with the festivities taking place in his current home market, the fan vote—weighted at 50%—will almost certainly ensure the King holds court one last time as a starter. A frontcourt of Jokić, Wembanyama, and James isn’t just a collection of stats; it is a perfect snapshot of the NBA’s past, present, and future converging under the lights of the Intuit Dome.
In the backcourt, the hierarchy has solidified. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is no longer just a rising star; he is the MVP frontrunner powering the Oklahoma City Thunder. His two-way dominance makes him an undeniable lock. Beside him, Luka Dončić continues to manipulate defenses with a proficiency that feels routine. Despite a strong push from Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards and the evergreen Stephen Curry—who remains a massive fan favorite in his home state—the statistical brilliance of Dončić and the team success of Gilgeous-Alexander make them the definitive starting duo.
The frontcourt selection offers the most intrigue, particularly with the game being hosted in Los Angeles. Nikola Jokić is the easiest pick on the board; the Nuggets’ maestro is arguably playing the most efficient basketball of his career. The second spot belongs to Victor Wembanyama. In his third season, the Spurs’ phenomenon has leaped from potential to production, anchoring the league’s best defense and captivating the global audience.
That leaves the final frontcourt spot, a decision steeped in narrative and legacy. While Anthony Davis has been the defensive backbone for the Lakers, LeBron James is the inevitable choice. Playing in his 23rd season, with the festivities taking place in his current home market, the fan vote—weighted at 50%—will almost certainly ensure the King holds court one last time as a starter. A frontcourt of Jokić, Wembanyama, and James isn’t just a collection of stats; it is a perfect snapshot of the NBA’s past, present, and future converging under the lights of the Intuit Dome.
