Who has made the most NBA All-Star Game appearances?
With the NBA All-Star Game coming up this weekend, let’s take a look at the players who have made the most appearances in the game since the tradition started in 1951. But first, a history lesson.
NBA All-Star Game
The first NBA All-Star Game was played in almost 70 years ago. It was held at the Boston Garden, and a Celtic – Ed Macauley – was named the game’s MVP. The East defeated the West in the inaugural NBA All-Star Game, 111-94.
The West would win its first NBA All-Star Game two years later in 1953, 79-75, with Minneapolis Lakers superstar George Mikan garnering MVP honors in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Boston hosted four NBA All-Star Games from 1951 to 1964 but hasn’t held one since. New York City surpassed Boston as the most common location for the event in 2015 with five (1954, 1955, 1968, 1998, 2015).
The Eastern and Western Conferences were pitted against one another in every NBA All-Star Game until 2018 when the league switched to team captains and an open draft. LeBron James has been a captain of an All-Star team three times in a row, including 2020.
NBA All-Star Game Appearances
Note: an appearance is counted merely by being named to the game. A player does not have to suit up or play in the game to have their recognition as an all-star count for this list.
T-7. Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, Dirk Nowitzki, Jerry West (14)
Michael Jordan
Appearances: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003
All-Star Stats: 20.2 points per game, 4.2 assists per game, 4.7 rebounds per game, 47.2 percent from the field
Karl Malone
Appearances: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002
All-Star Stats: 20.3 points per game, 1.6 assists per game, 6.2 rebounds per game, 54.2 percent from the field
Dirk Nowitzki
Appearances: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2019
All-Star Stats: 8.7 points per game, 1.1 assists per game, 3.7 rebounds per game, 45 percent from the field
Jerry West
Appearances: 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974
All-Star Stats: 13.3 points per game, 4.6 assists per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, 45.3 percent from the field
T-4. Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Shaquille O’Neal (15)
Tim Duncan
Appearances: 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015
All-Star Stats: 9.3 points per game, 2.1 assists per game, 9.1 rebounds per game, 54.8 percent from the field
Kevin Garnett
Appearances: 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013
All-Star Stats: 11.3 points per game, 2.9 assists per game, 6.3 rebounds per game, 51.1 percent from the field
Shaquille O’Neal
Appearances: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
All-Star Stats: 16.8 points per game, 1.4 assists per game, 8.1 rebounds per game, 55.1 percent from the field
3. LeBron James (16)
Appearances: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
All-Star Stats: 24.1 points per game, 5.9 assists per game, 6.4 rebounds per game, 53 percent from the field
2. Kobe Bryant (18)
Appearances: 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
All-Star Stats: 19.3 points per game, 4.7 assists per game, 5.0 rebounds per game, 50 percent from the field
1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19)
Appearances: 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989
All-Star Stats: 13.9 points per game, 2.8 assists per game, 8.3 rebounds per game, 49.3 percent from the field
