NBA All-Star voting 2023: Takeaways from second fan vote returns to decide captains, starting lineups

Kyle Irving

NBA All-Star voting 2023: Takeaways from second fan vote returns to decide captains, starting lineups image

On Thursday, Jan. 12, the NBA revealed the second fan vote returns for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.

All voting for this year's All-Star Game is through NBA.com or the NBA App, with fans accounting for 50 percent of the final vote for the All-Star Game.

The remaining 50 percent of the vote comes from current players (25 percent) and a media panel (25 percent).

Now that you know the voting structure and breakdown, let's get into takeaways from the second All-Star fan vote returns.

Vote now for the starters in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game!

2023 NBA All-Star Game voting results

Top 10 vote-getters

  1. LeBron James — 4,825,229
  2. Kevin Durant — 4,509,238
  3. Giannis Antetokounmpo — 4,467,306
  4. Stephen Curry — 3,901,808
  5. Luka Doncic — 3,649,647
  6. Nikola Jokic — 3,441,893
  7. Jayson Tatum — 3,281,124
  8. Joel Embiid — 3,248,733
  9. Kyrie Irving — 3,024,833
  10. Anthony Davis — 2,950,563

Voting for the All-Star Game began on Dec. 20 and continues through 11:59 p.m. ET on Jan. 21. The 72nd NBA All-Star Game takes place on Sunday, Feb. 19 in Salt Lake City on TNT.

Fans in the U.S. can watch the 2023 NBA All-Star Game on Sling TV. Stream Sling Orange for $40/month to catch all regular season games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $51/month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply.

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​If voting ended today, fan-voted starters would be…

Eastern Conference   Western Conference
Kyrie Irving Guard Stephen Curry
Donovan Mitchell Guard Luka Doncic
Kevin Durant Frontcourt LeBron James
Giannis Antetokounmpo Frontcourt Nikola Jokic
Jayson Tatum Frontcourt Anthony Davis

The tightest races for starting spots

With Durant, Antetokounmpo, Tatum and Embiid fighting for three spots in the Eastern Conference frontcourt, we knew this was going to be the tightest All-Star position race. Durant and Antetokounmpo remain in the top two spots in the East frontcourt, but Tatum (3,281,124) has passed Embiid (3,248,733) in the second fan vote return.

The Western Conference frontcourt is also tight for the final spot. While James and Jokic look to have the first two frontcourt spots locked up, Anthony Davis (2,950,563) is just ahead of Zion Williamson (2,856,121) for the final starting spot in the eyes of the fans.

The fans have made it clear they want an East backcourt of Irving (3,024,833) and Mitchell (2,725,558), but James Harden (1,571,039) and Jaylen Brown (1,512,332) are still vying to take Mitchell's spot.

In the West, Curry (3,901,808) and Doncic (3,649,647) are running away with votes as Ja Morant (1,397,102) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (1,338,764) are falling behind.

Also receiving votes

In the West, the biggest difference from the first All-Star fan vote returns is that Warriors center Kevon Looney has passed Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard for the ninth-most votes in the frontcourt. In the backcourt, De'Aaron Fox has taken Jordan Poole's place for the 10th-most votes, looking to make his first-ever All-Star appearance.

MORE: Who are the most likely first-time All-Stars in 2023?

In the East, Knicks forward Julius Randle has replaced Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen for the 10th-most votes in the frontcourt. There were no changes to the top-10 vote-getters in the East backcourt.

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.