Luka Dončić Tops First 2026 NBA All-Star Fan Returns; LeBron James, Austin Reaves Also Rank in West Top 10
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PHOENIX, Ariz., Dec. 29, 2025 — Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić holds the overall lead in the opening round of fan voting for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, according to figures released Monday by NBA Communications.
The four-time All-Star has received just under 1.25 million votes, roughly 60,000 more than Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, the top vote-getter in the Eastern Conference. Dončić is currently pacing the league in scoring and sits among the NBA’s top five in both assists and steals.
James and Reaves Crack West Top 10
Two of Dončić’s teammates also appear in the initial fan returns. Forward LeBron James is ninth among Western Conference players, while guard Austin Reaves is 10th despite being sidelined for at least four weeks with a calf strain. James missed the Lakers’ first 14 games this season because of sciatica but has recently returned to the lineup.
Conference Leaders
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić ranks second in the West, followed by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama. In the East, Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey trails Antetokounmpo, with New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell rounding out the top five.
Voting Format and Schedule
Fans account for 50% of the vote to determine All-Star starters, while NBA players and a media panel contribute 25% each. The league will release the next voting update on Jan. 6.
New All-Star Structure
This season’s All-Star event will feature a revised format: two teams of 16 U.S.-born players and one team of eight international players competing in a round-robin tournament.
Source: Lakers Nation
