Starting lineups for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game have been revealed, so we're officially one step closer to one of the league's biggest annual events.
This year, there aren't many surprises in the All-Star starting units, which are led by a few former MVPs in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, LeBron James and Nikola Jokic. Joining the MVPs are a few first-time starters in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard.
With the starters set, the focus shifts to the 14 players that will be tabbed as All-Star reserves. As a reminder, there are seven reserves in each conference — two guards, three frontcourt players and two wild cards of either position. All-Star reserves will be selected by the NBA's 30 head coaches.
Ahead of the starters announcement, I made my prediction for each conference's roster. With the starters now set, I head back to the drawing board and tailor my picks for the All-Star reserves.
Below is an updated look at the official starters and the impact on who should round out the roster.
MORE: Full list of starters, voting breakdown for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game
Eastern Conference starters
- G: Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
- G: Damian Lillard, Bucks
- F: Jayson Tatum, Celtics
- F: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
- F: Joel Embiid, 76ers
Western Conference starters
- G: Luka Doncic, Mavericks
- G: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
- F: Kevin Durant, Suns
- F: LeBron James, Lakers
- F: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Eastern Conference All-Stars reserves prediction
- G: Jalen Brunson, Knicks
- G: Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers
- F: Bam Adebayo, Heat
- F: Paolo Banchero, Magic
- F: Jaylen Brown, Celtics
- WC: Tyrese Maxey, 76ers
- WC: Trae Young, Hawks
Concerning the starters, the biggest controversy stemmed from Jalen Brunson missing out on the second guard spot alongside Haliburton. Brunson is averaging 26.5 points and 6.4 assists per game, leading the charge for a Knicks team that has been surging in January.
My rationale for Donovan Mitchell remains the same — he is one of the most prolific guards in the league and has paced efforts for a Cavaliers team that has dealt with a number of injuries.
MORE: Charles Barkley says Jalen Brunson deserves All-Star start over Damian Lillard
In the frontcourt, Jaylen Brown's place as a key contributor for the No. 1 seed Celtics makes him a no-brainer while Bam Adebayo's importance as a key cog for the Heat gives him an edge. The third spot was a difficult one to nail down, but I flipped to Paolo Banchero for his impact on a team with a winning record, as Scottie Barnes and the Raptors have fallen in the East standings.
Tyrese Maxey and Trae Young are considered "wild cards" in a guard-heavy East, but both are essential locks in my mind. Maxey has ascended into stardom next to Embiid while Young is averaging over 26 points and 10 assists for a second straight season.
Apologies to: Scottie Barnes, Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis, Julius Randle, Derrick White
Western Conference All-Stars reserves prediction
- G: Stephen Curry, Warriors
- G: Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
- F: Paul George, Clippers
- F: Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves
- F: Kawhi Leonard, Clippers
- WC: Devin Booker, Suns
- WC: Anthony Davis, Lakers
The West is a doozy as there are more than seven players worthy of All-Star consideration. Narrowing it down was no easy task.
Tough as some of the calls were, choosing Anthony Edwards, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard wasn't. Edwards has emerged as the franchise player for a Minnesota team that is off to its best start in franchise history and will contend for the West's No. 1 seed. George and Leonard are both healthy and have been crucial to LA's season turnaround, as has James Harden, but it would be odd to put three Clippers in the reserve unit.
Stephen Curry may feel like a legacy pick until you remember he's averaging 26.8 points while canning 4.6 3s per game at a 40.2 percent clip. Rudy Gobert is nearly impossible to leave off considering his role in Minnesota and the high likelihood of his defensive presence resulting in a Defensive Player of the Year nod.
MORE: 3-Point Contest to feature Stephen Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu showdown
Anthony Davis has been one of the 24 best players in the NBA this season. Full stop. The Lakers' highs and lows have been no fault of Davis, who has been available and largely dominant. With new information comes new decisions, and Devin Booker leaps over De'Aaron Fox due to Sacramento's recent struggles and Phoenix's recent surge. It's a tough squeeze but recent events have resulted in a flip.
Apologies to: De'Aaron Fox, James Harden, Chet Holmgren, Kyrie Irving, Lauri Markkanen, Domantas Sabonis, Alperen Sengun, Victor Wembanyama
