The NBA announced its 2024 All-Star starters and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was one of them. This marks the first time he has been named a starter and the second time he’s been an All-Star.
Gilgeous-Alexander edged Stephen Curry for the starting backcourt spot. After trailing Curry in the fan voting, the 25-year-old gained the starting nod due to media and player votes.
The 10 All-Star starters — as the league returns to a traditional West vs. East format this year — are:
- West: Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic
- East: Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid
Gilgeous-Alexander has led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 31-13 record and first place in the Western Conference standings. The 25-year-old has played like an MVP candidate this season.
In 43 games, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.1 points on 54.6% shooting, 6.4 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 steals.
The Thunder will have an outside shot of gaining a second All-Star. Chet Holmgren was ninth in fan votes among Western Conference frontcourt players, so he’ll likely be outside of the bubble.
This means the 21-year-old could be one of the first injury replacements if All-Star selections sit out the weekend festivities. If Holmgren makes it, he’ll be the first rookie since Blake Griffin in 2011 to be named an All-Star.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault also has a legitimate shot at coaching the All-Star game. The easiest path for that to happen is for OKC to be in first place on Feb. 2 — two weeks before the event.
The 2024 NBA All-Star game is set to be played on Sunday, Feb. 18 at Indiana.
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