Jayson Tatum was named an All-Star starter for the fifth consecutive season on Thursday night ahead of the Celtics matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. It will be the sixth straight overall appearance for the Celtics forward, an impressive feat in his eighth NBA season.
Tatum is joined by Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns and Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo in East frontcourt. Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell will round out the East backcourt.
Tatum was voted into the starting spot with a formula based on fans voting (50%), players (25%) and media (25%).
Tatum is averaging 27.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists while helping the Celtics hold onto the No. 2 seed in the East through 43 games.
The NBA unveiled a new All-Star format this year which will feature a mini-tournament with four teams and three games. Each team will have eight players. Inside the NBA commentators Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith will be the honorary general managers for three teams that will be drafted on Thursday Feb. 6 and the fourth team will be the winning team from the championship game of the Rising Stars, a showcase of first and second-year NBA players and G-League standouts.
The four teams competing in the All-Star Game will be competing for a prize pool of $1.8 million with each player on the winning team receiving $125,000.
Seven players will be selected by NBA head coaches as reserves next month.
