The NBA announced its starting line-up for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game on Thursday evening. There were no surprises.
Western Conference All-Stars
- Lebron James
- Luka Doncic
- Stephon Curry
- Kawhi Leonard
- Nikola Jokic
Eastern Conference All-Stars
- Kyrie Irving
- Bradley Beal
- Kevin Durant
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Joel Embid
Luka Doncic was a curious pick as he edged Damian Lillard for the second backcourt spot in the West. This was in spite of Lillard’s Portland Trail Blazers sitting six slots in front of Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference standings.
Fans accounted for 50 percent of the final voting for All-Star starters. Players and media split the remaining 50 percent equally. The fan vote broke a close call in the balloting between Doncic and Lillard.
The reserves will be selected by NBA head coaches and will be named Tuesday, Feb. 23.
The NBA officially announced plans for the All-Star extravaganza to take place in one-night. The 3-point contest and skills competition will be held prior to the game and the dunk contest at halftime.
For a second straight year, the game will be played to an Elam Ending.
The game will take place on Sunday, March 7, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Every player will travel to Atlanta privately from their hometowns and stay in the same hotel.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms expressed some anxiety, saying fans should not come to town for All-Star festivities because there will not be any public events related to the game.