ESPN predicts the All-NBA First Team: Doncic, Jokic, and Alexander make the first team, while James, Durant, and Curry miss out.

On December 29th Beijing time, ESPN data expert Pelton projected the season’s top lineup, with Doncic, Alexander, and Jokic unquestionably included in the first team. James, Durant, and Curry did not make the cut. The detailed predictions are as follows—

Predicted All-NBA First Team:

Cunningham (Pistons), Doncic (Lakers), Alexander (Thunder), Jokic (Nuggets), Mitchell (Cavaliers)

Predicted All-NBA Second Team:

Antetokounmpo (Bucks), Jalen Brown (Celtics), Maxey (76ers), Jamal Murray (Nuggets), Towns (Knicks)

Predicted All-NBA Third Team:

Brunson (Knicks), Butler (Warriors), Edwards (Timberwolves), Jalen Johnson (Hawks), Wembanyama (Spurs)

Pelton’s analysis is as follows—

Selecting the best lineup before the season is halfway through presents a major challenge in handling player injuries. Currently, Wembanyama has missed 12 games due to a calf strain, which accounts for nearly one-third of the games played so far. By season’s end, these missed games might become insignificant, provided he does not miss many more—if his total absences reach 17 or more, he will be disqualified from the All-NBA selection; Antetokounmpo faces a similar risk.

At this stage, we consider both eligible, but given their limited actual playing time, Antetokounmpo is placed on the second team and Wembanyama on the third team. Curry has missed 9 games and faces a similar eligibility situation, but his dominance when healthy is slightly less, leading to his exclusion. Despite Reeves performing at an All-NBA level this season, a grade-two calf strain will sideline him long-term, also removing him from consideration.

Of course, the most notable exception is James, who has missed 16 games so far, making it highly likely that his streak of 21 consecutive All-NBA selections—a record that already stands as the longest in league history—will come to an end.