The NBA All-Star Game is getting a facelift this season, and the league isn’t holding back. Instead of the traditional East vs.
West format-or even the recent captain-led drafts-we’re getting a three-team round-robin showdown: two U.S. squads and one international team. Each team will face the other two, and the top two-based on record and, if needed, point differential-will meet in a championship game to crown the All-Star kings.
The selection process still leans on the familiar trio: fans (50%), players (25%), and media (25%) will vote to determine five starters from each conference. Coaches will fill out the rosters with seven reserves apiece. But here’s the twist: with the format requiring 16 American players and eight internationals, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver may need to step in and name extra All-Stars if the voting doesn’t naturally provide that balance.
Fan voting tips off on December 17 and runs through January 14, with ballots available daily on NBA.com and the NBA App.
Now, let’s talk Thunder-specifically, the two players who’ve made the strongest cases to represent Oklahoma City in this new-look All-Star format.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A Lock Among the League’s Elite
Let’s not overthink this one. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is not just playing at an All-Star level-he’s performing at a pace we’ve rarely, if ever, seen.
The Thunder’s franchise cornerstone is averaging 32.4 points per game on a staggering 68.7% true shooting. That’s not just efficient-it’s historically efficient.
No player in NBA history has ever paired this kind of scoring volume with that level of shooting precision.
And it's not just about the buckets. Gilgeous-Alexander defends his position well, keeps turnovers to a minimum, and is the driving force behind one of the league’s most surprising contenders. He’s the engine, the steering wheel, and the GPS all at once for Oklahoma City.
There’s no debate here-he’s headed back to the All-Star Game. The only real question is whether he can repeat as MVP of the All-Star Game and continue building a case for another Finals MVP down the line. That’s the level he’s operating on right now.
Chet Holmgren: Making a Statement in Year One
While Gilgeous-Alexander is a lock, Chet Holmgren is making a serious push of his own-and not just for Rookie of the Year. The 7-footer is averaging 18.7 points per game on 67% true shooting, a level of efficiency that puts him in rare company. Among qualified players, only SGA, Nikola Jokić, and Aaron Gordon match or exceed both scoring and efficiency thresholds.
But Holmgren’s impact doesn’t stop on the offensive end. Defensively, he’s been a revelation.
He ranks seventh in the league in both rim points saved per 75 possessions and rim defensive field goal percentage versus expected (per Basketball Index, minimum 500 minutes). And here’s the kicker-he’s doing much of this while playing out of position.
Due to injuries, Holmgren has spent significant time at power forward rather than his natural center spot, yet he’s still anchoring the defense and protecting the rim at an elite level.
That kind of versatility is gold in today’s NBA. Holmgren gives the Thunder flexibility on both ends, allowing them to switch, stretch, and adapt to just about any matchup. It’s a big reason why Oklahoma City has been one of the most consistent teams in the league.
The numbers back it up: the Thunder are 21-1 when Holmgren plays, and he ranks third across the entire NBA in total plus-minus. He’s also 11th in Estimated Plus-Minus (EPM), one of the most respected all-in-one advanced metrics out there.
In a loaded Western Conference, earning an All-Star nod isn’t easy-especially for a rookie. But Holmgren’s blend of elite efficiency, two-way impact, and team success makes a compelling case. If the Thunder’s record carries the weight it should, Holmgren deserves to be in Indianapolis this February.
Bottom Line:
Oklahoma City has arrived, and its two young stars are leading the charge.
Gilgeous-Alexander is already one of the league’s premier players, and Holmgren is proving he belongs in that conversation sooner than expected. In a season where the All-Star Game is trying something new, it’s only fitting that two of the league’s freshest, most dynamic talents are right in the mix.