NEW ORLEANS — The league has its verdict.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s franchise-leading guard, will be a starter in the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 18 in Indianapolis.

With last year’s game marking his inaugural All-Star nod, this year’s game marks his first time being named a starter. As of Thursday, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 6.4 assists for an OKC squad sitting atop the Western Conference standings.

His handle’s been slick. His midrange jumper has been automatic. His touch has been effortless. His impact has been undeniable. Still, his path to a nod as a West starter wasn’t so explicit.

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Through three fan voting returns, SGA remained in third place in the West’s backcourt voting pool. He trailed only Dallas’ Luka Doncic and Golden State’s Stephen Curry. On Thursday, it was revealed that Gilgeous-Alexander led both the media and player votes, which each make up 25% of the final vote.

Gilgeous-Alexander will be joined in the West backcourt by Doncic. In the frontcourt, he’ll be joined by Phoenix’s Kevin Durant, Denver’s Nikola Jokic, and Los Angeles Laker and team captain LeBron James.

SGA becomes the fourth player in Oklahoma City’s 15-year history to be named an All-Star starter, which is tied for the second-most starters from any team since 2008-09. He’s the first since Paul George in 2019, also joining Durant and Russell Westbrook.

As of Thursday, he leads the league in 30-point games with 32. He also leads the league in steals. It’s not close. A year after being named to the All-NBA first team, Gilgeous-Alexander is barreling down a similar path.

The All-Star reserves will be announced on Feb. 1.

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NBA All-Star Game starters

Eastern Conference

• G, Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers

• G, Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks

• F, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

• F, Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

• C, Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

Western Conference

• G, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

• G, Luke Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

• F, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

• F, Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns

• C, Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

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NBA All-Star Game voting

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NBA All-Star Game

TIPOFF: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis (TNT)

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named NBA All-Star Game starter