NBA All-Star Game 2023: LeBron James, Kevin Durant Lead 2nd Voting Results

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (West) and Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (East) continue to lead their respective conferences in the second round of NBA All-Star voting.

The NBA released its latest results Thursday, with James looking like an overwhelming favorite to captain the West, while Durant battles in a neck-and-neck race with Giannis Antetokounmpo.

James has been a captain in every All-Star Game since the league instituted its fantasy draft format in 2018. Durant and Antetokounmpo have been captains twice apiece, with Durant getting the honor the last two seasons.

All-Star starters are determined by a combination of voting by fans (50 percent), players (25 percent) and media members (25 percent). The starter who receives the most fan votes is then named the captain for his respective conference.

It would be a surprise if James does not wind up easily walking to the captaincy of the Western Conference given his sizable lead and continued brilliant individual performance this season. James will tie Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time record for All-Star selections with 19 if he ultimately makes the team.

Durant seems likely to lose his lead over Antetokounmpo in the coming weeks as he recovers from an MCL sprain. It's expected he will miss around a month of action, so he's no guarantee to even suit up for the All-Star Game.

Despite being captain the past two years, Durant has been unable to participate in the game because of injury.