James and Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets lead the Western Conference in frontcourt voting, while Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors lead the voting among guards.

In the Eastern Conference, Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers top the frontcourt vote, while Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers and Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks lead the guard vote.

Eastern Conference Highlights

Alongside Damian Lillard, who joined the Bucks from the Portland Trail Blazers in the offseason, Antetokounmpo is having another MVP-caliber season.

With 39 games played, the 29-year-old is averaging 31.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists. He is also shooting a career-best 60.8 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from outside the arc.

The Bucks are only four games behind the Boston Celtics in first place in the Eastern Conference with a 28-13 record, in part because of Antetokounmpo.

In contrast, Embiid is perhaps the front-runner for MVP after defeating Jokić in a 126-121 victory over the Nuggets on Tuesday night.

In 29 games, the reigning MVP is averaging a career-high 35.1 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 6.1 assists while shooting 36.1 percent from outside the arc and 53.8 percent from the field.

Thanks in part to Embiid, the Sixers are still vying for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. With a 26-13 record, they are one game behind the Bucks and five behind the Celtics for third place in the conference.

Unquestionably one of the top guards in the East, Haliburton guided the Pacers to victory over James and the Lakers in the In-Season Tournament final and has Indiana in the running for a postseason berth.

With 33 games played, Haliburton is averaging 23.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 12.5 assists while shooting 40.3 percent from outside the arc and 49.7 percent from the field. This is his best year to date.

Given that Indiana is home to the All-Star Game, Haliburton is sure to become a fan favorite once the festivities get underway.

Highlights of the Western Conference

James will be a contender for the All-Star Game as long as he plays in the NBA. The Lakers player has been selected for 19 All-player Games in his career; the only year he hasn’t been selected is 2003–04, when he was a rookie.

Even if the Lakers have struggled to finish 10th in the Western Conference with a 21-21 record, James’ ability at 39 years old never ceases to amaze. In 38 games, he’s shooting 39.1 percent from beyond the arc and 52.4 percent from the floor, averaging 24.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 7.6 assists.

Conversely, Jokić has been selected for five consecutive All-Star Games and keeps proving why he’s one of the league’s finest big men. The Nuggets, who are currently third in the Western Conference behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves, have won 28 games under his leadership.

A strong favorite for MVP this season once more, the 28-year-old is averaging 25.5 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 9.1 assists in 41 games while shooting 34.5 percent from beyond the arc and 58.1 percent from the field.

Regarding guards, Dončić is still reaching new heights with the Mavericks, and with a 24-18 record, he has put the team in the running for a playoff berth after Dallas was unable to make it to the postseason the previous season.

The 24-year-old is shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from outside the arc, averaging 33.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 9.2 assists in 35 games. The Mavs should make it back to the postseason this year as long as he plays at a high level and maintains his health.