LeBron James secures his 22nd selection for the NBA All-Star Game, setting a new record.
NEW YORK — LeBron James has been named an All-Star for the 22nd consecutive year.
The NBA revealed its reserves for the annual midseason event on Sunday night via NBC, just before James and his Los Angeles Lakers took on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Coaches from the league conducted the voting over the past week.
James was the final player announced, as the oldest player in the league extended his record for both total and consecutive selections by another year.
On the court at Madison Square Garden, James was accompanied by three other All-Stars: starters Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson, along with fellow reserve selection Karl-Anthony Towns.
Among those selected alongside James was Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant, whose 16th All-Star selection ranks fourth all-time, surpassing Hall of Famers Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, and placing him behind only the late Kobe Bryant (18), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19), and James.
Joining James and Durant as Western Conference reserve selections were three first-time participants: Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, and Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, along with Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (fourth selection) and Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (fifth selection).
In the Eastern Conference, Towns — making his sixth All-Star appearance — was joined by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (seventh selection), Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (fourth), Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (second), and three first-time selections: Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, Miami Heat guard Norman Powell, and Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson.
According to the NBA’s new format for the event, the 24 All-Star participants will be divided into three 8-man rosters — two consisting of American players, while the third will feature international players. Each group will compete in two games, with the two teams achieving the best record — or the two with the highest point differential if all go 1-1 — advancing to the championship match.
With these 24 players chosen, NBA commissioner Adam Silver will need to appoint at least one All-Star to replace Antetokounmpo, who will be sidelined due to a calf injury. Silver also has the option to add as many American or international players as needed to reach the 16 American and 8 international players required to complete the rosters.
The NBA had previously indicated this approach to ensure the minimum 8-man rosters for all three teams, as the league transitioned to this “Team USA versus the World” format in conjunction with NBC acquiring the rights to the game for the first time, coinciding with the Winter Olympics, which NBC also broadcasts.
