By Alison Rosen | January 21, 2026
Most Popular NBA Players: If you’ve been anywhere near social media, ESPN, or a sports bar in the last month, you already know the names that dominate every conversation. The 2025-26 NBA season has produced a fascinating mix of established veterans and rising stars that’s driving unprecedented engagement across platforms. From All-Star voting records to viral X posts, these players are reshaping what NBA popularity looks like. Here’s everything you need to know about the superstars taking over basketball right now.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: All-Star Voting Records
The 2026 NBA All-Star voting closed on January 14, and the results tell a compelling story about who fans want to see. According to NBC Los Angeles, Luka Doncic amassed more than 3.4 million fan votes in earning his sixth NBA All-Star honor, edging out the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo with 3.2 million for most fan votes.
All-Star Fan Voting Results (Final Numbers)
| Player | Team | Conference | Fan Votes | Position in Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luka Doncic | Lakers | West | 3,400,000+ | #1 Overall |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Bucks | East | 3,200,000+ | #2 Overall |
| Nikola Jokic | Nuggets | West | 2,990,000 | #3 |
| Tyrese Maxey | 76ers | East | 2,940,000 | #4 |
| Jalen Brunson | Knicks | East | 2,850,000 | #5 |
| Stephen Curry | Warriors | West | 2,810,000 | #6 |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Thunder | West | 1,554,468 | Top 4 West |
| Victor Wembanyama | Spurs | West | 1,965,462 | Starter (tiebreaker) |
| Anthony Edwards | Timberwolves | West | 1,960,957 | Tied for final spot |
The voting told a clear story about international star power. Two international players, Luka Doncic in the West and Giannis Antetokounmpo in the East, were the leading vote-getters among fans, signaling a seismic shift in how the global audience views NBA superstars.
What Fans Are Actually Saying on X
The All-Star voting wasn’t the only place fans expressed their opinions. Social media has become the epicenter of NBA fandom, with trending hashtags and heated debates emerging daily. Here’s what real fans were discussing:
Trending Fan Reactions and Conversations
Multiple notable X posts dominated NBA discourse throughout January:
On Luka Doncic’s Dominance: Doncic’s move to the Lakers alongside LeBron James sparked constant conversation about his ability to carry a franchise. Fans compared his clutch gene and creative offensive system to other elite scorers, with many arguing he’s the most complete player in the league.
On Stephen Curry’s Age-Defying Performance: Steve Kerr commented on Steph’s All-Star selection as a starter, saying “I can’t think of anybody at that age playing better”. This generated massive debate online about how Curry continues to reshape perceptions of what’s possible for 37-year-old athletes.
On Victor Wembanyama’s Historic Season: Fans couldn’t stop talking about Wembanyama’s measurements versus his skill. The 7-foot-4 rookie sensation consistently trended as users debated whether he’s actually just a generational talent who happens to be extremely tall, or something entirely different altogether.
On LeBron James Missing the All-Star Starting Lineup: The internet had to process an unprecedented milestone. LeBron James moved to eighth place in Western Conference voting from the initial vote dump, marking what could be his first missed All-Star starter selection in his legendary career, having only missed the All-Star Game once in 2003-04.
The Current King of the NBA
Scoring Leaders and Stat Categories (2025-26 Season)
| Rank | Player | Team | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luka Doncic | Lakers | 33.3 | 7.5 | 8.6 | 50.2 |
| 2 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Thunder | 31.8 | 4.4 | 6.2 | 48.9 |
| 3 | Anthony Edwards | Timberwolves | 29.6 | 5.1 | 4.2 | 47.1 |
| 4 | Victor Wembanyama | Spurs | 27.9 | 9.1 | 2.8 | 51.4 |
| 5 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Bucks | 28.8 | 9.5 | 5.5 | 52.6 |
Why These Five Players Matter Right Now
1. Luka Doncic
Luka has become the face of modern NBA basketball. Doncic is leading the NBA in scoring at 33.3 points a game plus is averaging 8.6 assists and 7.5 rebounds a night, he is a top-three MVP candidate at the midpoint of the season, and has been the driving force behind a top-10 Lakers offense and a top-six seed in the West. His combination of creative step-back threes, clutch performances, and international appeal has made him unmissable television.
The Slovenian guard’s popularity transcends typical NBA fandom. Younger viewers who grew up with international basketball in mind naturally gravitate toward Doncic because he represents a borderless game. His 3.4 million fan votes weren’t a fluke either. They reflect real engagement across every demographic watching professional basketball.
Also read:- Why Jimmy Butler’s Injury Is Rocking the NBA Right Now
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Gilgeous-Alexander is arguably the best player in the NBA right now and is a no-brainer starter. He is the reigning MVP and Finals MVP who leads the defending NBA champions, a team on pace for 67 wins this season, and is averaging 31.8 points a game as well as 6.2 assists and 4.4 rebounds a night.
What makes SGA’s continued dominance particularly interesting is his consistency. He’s not just racking up scoring numbers in blowouts. His 112-game streak of 20-plus point performances demonstrates elite-level performance night after night. The Thunder are on pace for historic success, and SGA is the primary reason why.
3. Victor Wembanyama
Wembanyama broke through to stardom in a way few players ever do. At 7-foot-4 with professional-level ball-handling, shooting, and defensive instincts, he fundamentally challenges how scouts and fans think about player development. He’s not just tall. He’s skilled in ways that shouldn’t be possible from someone his size.
His 1.96 million fan votes placed him in the All-Star starting conversation despite being a rookie. That’s historically rare. Fans aren’t voting for his potential. They’re voting because watching him play in real time feels genuinely innovative.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo led all Eastern Conference vote-getters despite his team struggling for most of the first half of the season. He’s played 27 games this season, averaging 28.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks in 29.0 minutes.
What’s remarkable about Giannis is his consistency across different eras of basketball. He adapts to rule changes, adjusts to league-wide defensive schemes, and maintains excellence regardless of circumstance. At 29, he’s still operating at an MVP-caliber level.
5. Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards represents the breed of player that keeps casual fans coming back. He doesn’t need perfect circumstances to explode. Edwards can take over a game on any given night with explosive athleticism and confidence that borders on swagger.
His recent 55-point performance against Wembanyama encapsulated everything making this NBA season must-watch television. Two players operating at elite levels, showcasing completely different skill sets, in a game that mattered. That’s what drives engagement now.
The Supporting Cast Creating Waves
Rising Stars and Established Veterans Generating Buzz
Several other names demand attention despite not cracking the top tier:
Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks): The reigning NBA Clutch Player of the Year, Brunson is having another outstanding season in the Big Apple. He’s averaging 28.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 3.0 three-pointers while shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 85.2 percent from the foul line. His All-Star selection reflects how the Knicks built something special in New York.
Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons): The East-leading Pistons have plenty of reasons to look forward to 2026 with Cade Cunningham leading the way. Cunningham led player voting in the All-Star process, indicating respect from his peers that transcends fan popularity metrics.
Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers): Maxey cracked the top five in All-Star voting with 2.94 million fan votes, surprising some observers. His improvement trajectory and clutch performances have made him a favorite among serious basketball viewers.
Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors): Steve Kerr on Steph being named an all star starter: “I can’t think of anybody at that age playing better”. At 37 years old, Curry’s selection as an All-Star starter reinforces that excellence transcends age.
What Makes These Players the Most Popular
Here’s what separates the current generation of NBA superstars:
- International Appeal: Doncic and Wembanyama benefit from a global fanbase that sees them as representatives of basketball without borders. The NBA’s worldwide presence shows in voting patterns.
- Authenticity on and off the court: Modern fans connect with players who seem genuine rather than manufactured. Giannis, Edwards, and Brunson all communicate directly with their fanbases without filters.
- Stylistic diversity: The league’s superstars don’t look like each other. Wembanyama operates nothing like Edwards. Doncic’s crafty style contrasts sharply with Giannis’ brute-force dominance. Fans engage because there’s something for everyone.
- Winning context: Most of these players are on teams that matter. The Thunder are historic. The Knicks are competitive. The Spurs are developing something special. Fans gravitate toward meaningful basketball.
- Social media engagement: Players now communicate directly with fans through X, Instagram, and TikTok. The boundary between athlete and audience has collapsed in ways that increase emotional investment.
NBA Popularity in 2026
The most popular NBA players right now represent different eras, different continents, and different playing styles. They’re not chosen because of a singular formula. Doncic leads because he’s the most complete offensive player operating at peak level. Giannis remains beloved despite team struggles because his excellence feels inevitable. Edwards generates engagement because he plays with contagious confidence. Wembanyama fascinates because he exists outside traditional basketball parameters. Gilgeous-Alexander commands respect because his championships and MVP awards prove he delivers when it matters.
That’s what makes this particular moment in NBA history interesting. The conversation isn’t about one transcendent superstar. It’s a genuinely open debate about which elite-level talent deserves recognition. That competitive environment for popularity actually serves the league better than having a singular face of the franchise. Every night brings new reasons to tune in and join the conversation.
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