Who are the Starters for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game?

The 2024 NBA All-Star Game is Approaching

The 2024 NBA All-Star game is right around the corner on February 19th, 2023. As the midway point of the NBA season approaches, fans are gearing up to vote for their favorite players to represent their conferences in one of the most entertaining basketball games of the year.

Voting is Now Open

Voting for 2024 NBA All-Star game starters is now open. Fans can vote daily through Twitter, NBA.com, and the NBA app before the polls close on January 21st. The starters will be revealed on January 26th on TNT.

Fans can vote for two guards and three frontcourt players from each conference. Votes from fans will account for 50% of the vote while current NBA players and media will account for 25% each.

Projected Eastern Conference Starters

In the East, veterans Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo are favorites to headline their frontcourt. Jayson Tatum is another strong candidate to start in the frontcourt after leading the Boston Celtics to the 2023 NBA Finals.

At guard, there will likely be strong fan support for Donovan Mitchell after his electric start to Year 1 in Cleveland. James Harden or Kyrie Irving could snag a backcourt starting spot for the East guards.

Projected Western Conference Starters

As for the West frontcourt, the race for the third frontcourt spot next to Nikola Jokic and Zion Williamson will be interesting. Anthony Davis, Paul George and others are definitely in the mix.

At guard, Ja Morant and Stephen Curry are the likely starters. Morant is having a breakout campaign after reaching the second round of the 2023 NBA playoffs. And Curry continues to shine as Golden State aims to return to contender status out West.

Debating Snubs and Surprise Picks

Of course, no All-Star selection process comes without snubs. There are always surprise player selections that cause controversy and debate.

Most Notable 2024 All-Star Snubs

As far as snubs go, a notable one could be Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard. Despite boasting career-best efficiency numbers, Lillard may find himself left out due to high competition at guard.

In the frontcourt, the rise of a young New Orleans Pelicans squad could see Zion Williamson selected over his teammate Brandon Ingram. Additionally, Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges could fall short despite a strong two-way impact.

Potential Surprise 2024 All-Star Selections

On the other side, surprise selections that could cause debate include San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray. Murray has carried the Spurs offensively and has a case to make it even on a non-playoff team.

Elsewhere, a younger player like Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers could break out enough to earn a reserve selection. His dynamic playmaking could be rewarded by coaches.

New 2024 All-Star Game Format

Along with new players earning their All-Star selection, the 2024 game will feature a slightly different format. The league adopted a new scoring format beginning in 2023 to honor the late Kobe Bryant.

New Scoring Rules

The new format no longer features a running clock but instead has a target Final Target Score. The Final Target Score is determined by taking the leading team’s total cumulative score through three quarters and adding 24 points.

For example, if Team LeBron has a 100-95 lead after three quarters. That makes the Final Target Score 124 points. The first team to 124 points wins the game with no game clock.

Honoring Kobe Bryant’s Legacy

The new Final Target Score system adds intrigue to the All-Star Game. Players will likely compete at a higher level in the more competitive setting. It is a fitting way to honor Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who famously scored 24 points in the fourth quarter of the 2016 All-Star Game on his home court at Staples Center.

With 24 being Bryant’s iconic jersey number, working it into the scoring format of the All-Star Game is the NBA’s way of immortalizing his impact on the league and the game globally. It promises to make the 2024 NBA All-Star Game even more special for the fans and players involved.

Predicting the 2024 NBA All-Star Game Result

Looking ahead to All-Star Weekend, predicting a winner feels tougher than usual following the 2023 midseason classic. After Team Giannis defeated Team LeBron in 2023, who emerges this year?

Case for Team LeBron

It remains to be seen who will serve as captains and draft teams this year. But if he captains a squad, LeBron James has a strong case to capture another All-Star victory in his old home court in Cleveland. Especially if he ends up with frontcourt running mates like Giannis, Jokic or Embiid alongside elite guards such as Curry or Luka Doncic.

Case for Team Giannis

That said, if Giannis Antetokounmpo earns another captaincy, he will be eager to repeat as All-Star Game winner. After finally breaking through for his first All-Star Game victory in 2023, the Greek Freak could build a versatile lineup filled with two-way wings like Jayson Tatum, athletic bigs like Zion and quality guards like Ja Morant or LaMelo Ball.

Of course, we will have to wait for the starters, reserves and captains to be revealed before predicting a winner. But the 2024 NBA All-Star Game is shaping up to be must-see entertainment as the association honors the legacy of Kobe Bryant.

FAQs

When is the 2024 NBA All-Star game?

The 2024 NBA All-Star game will be played on February 19th, 2023.

How can I vote for the 2024 NBA All-Star starters?

You can vote daily for starters through Twitter, NBA.com, and the NBA app before January 21st when voting closes.

What is the new NBA All-Star game format?

The new format establishes a Final Target Score to play to instead of a running game clock. The Final Target Score adds 24 points to whatever the leading team's total score is after 3 quarters.

Why was the new scoring format adopted?

The new format honors the late Kobe Bryant by incorporating his jersey number 24 into the unique scoring system.