Domantas Sabonis passed up for NBA All-Star Starter nod

The NBA All-Star Game starters have been revealed.

During Thursday night’s telecast of Inside the NBA on TNT, the ten starters for February 19th’s All-Star game were shared with the basketball world:

Western Conference

• Luka Dončić – G – Dallas Mavericks
• Steph Curry – G – Golden State Warriors
• LeBron James – F – Los Angeles Lakers
• Zion Williamson – F – New Orleans Pelicans
• Nikola Jokić – C – Denver Nuggets

Eastern Conference

• Kyrie Irving – G – Brooklyn Nets
• Donovan Mitchell – G – Cleveland Cavaliers
• Giannis Antetokounmpo – F – Milwaukee Bucks
• Kevin Durant – F – Brooklyn Nets
• Jayson Tatum – F – Boston Celtics

Three voting groups determined the starters:

• Fans (50%)
• NBA players (25%)
• Media panel 25%)

Complete voting results here: https://t.co/M8btg7M0GP

Below are the overall scores for the top finishers at each position. pic.twitter.com/HQ9W20Z6Ke

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 27, 2023

There had been some buzz surrounding Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis’ chances at securing a starting nod after several media members shared that they would be using one of their starting votes on the two-time All-Star.

Former NBA guard JJ Redick, ESPN’s Zach Lowe, Yahoo! Sports’ Dan Devine, and The Athletic’s Sam Amick all made their intentions of voting Sabonis in as an All-Star over the past week, but the big man was beaten out by Williamson mainly in part to the fan voting portion of the process.

Sabonis and guard De’Aaron Fox have acted as a driving force behind Sacramento’s strong start to the season, as the Kings currently sit atop the Pacific Division and 3rd place in the Western Conference standings.

Entering play on January 26th, Sacramento holds a 27-20 record as they are closing in on last season’s win total (30) with around half of the season to go.

Sabonis, a two-time All-Star, has played like an MVP candidate during the season’s opening months as the big man is averaging 18.4 points, 12.4 rebounds (leads NBA), and 7.3 assists (career-high) per game this season.

Light up the League.

De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis cover SLAM 242. https://t.co/gSRUVMFJcN pic.twitter.com/bGqwt0zwJq

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 26, 2023

Fox, who is still searching for his first All-Star nod, has turned heads this season while averaging 23.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game.

Now that the starters have been selected, NBA head coaches will select the All-Star reserves next Thursday, February 2nd on another live broadcast of Inside the NBA on TNT.

The 72nd NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 19, in Salt Lake City.

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