All-NBA: SGA, Jokic Shine in First Team, LeBron James Sets New Record
This year’s All-NBA announcement sees some familiar faces and exciting newcomers among basketball’s elite. Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s MVP, along with Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Milwaukee’s dynamic Giannis Antetokounmpo, were the undeniable pillars of excellence, each securing their spot on every MVP ballot this season.
These three basketball titans were rightfully named unanimous picks for the first-team All-NBA, joined by Boston's sensational Jayson Tatum and Cleveland’s rising star Donovan Mitchell. Both Tatum and Gilgeous-Alexander reinforced their prestige with another first-team acknowledgment, while Mitchell celebrated his inaugural first-team accolade.
For Antetokounmpo, this marks his seventh first-team selection, adding to his nine total All-NBA appearances, a testament to his relentless dominance on the court. Jokic, a force of nature in his own right, secures his fifth first-team designation alongside seven All-NBA honors. Tatum continues his impressive streak, capturing his fourth first-team commendation.
Meanwhile, LeBron James further etched his name into the annals of history by becoming the first player to achieve 21 All-NBA selections across his storied career. Despite slotting into the second team, his influence remains monumental, highlighting an unparalleled consistency in elite performance that spans decades. James, turning 40 this December, continues to defy time with 13 first-team appearances among his accolades.
Additional selections saw Minnesota's Anthony Edwards, Cleveland's Evan Mobley, Golden State's Stephen Curry, and New York's Jalen Brunson join James on the second team. Curry's 11th All-NBA acknowledgment refines a legacy that only 20 others have yet matched.
On the third team, Detroit's Cade Cunningham and Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton showed their burgeoning talent, while veterans like James Harden and Karl-Anthony Towns made yet another appearance, speaking to their enduring caliber.
These selections culminate an awards season brimming with moments of individual brilliance and collective passion, voted on by a global panel of 100 discerning writers and broadcasters. Their decisions solidified Gilgeous-Alexander as MVP, declared Cleveland’s Kenny Atkinson as coach of the year, and saw Boston’s Payton Pritchard hailed as sixth man of the year, among other accolades recognizing dedication and excellence across the NBA.
