Lauri Markkanen has not only returned to the level that made him an All-Star three years ago, but is currently playing the best basketball of his career. Sadly, his phenomenal play hasn't gotten much love from the fans, as the first All-Star voting had him placed 16th among Western Conference players. These results confirm the Utah Jazz star won't get much love from fans as long as he plays on a non-winning team in a small market.
The NBA released its first All-Star voting results, and while the usual suspects show up at the top, Markkanen paled badly in comparison to some of his fellow All-Stars in the conference, as he has tallied 112,209 votes.
Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo lead their conferences in the first fan returns in NBA All-Star Voting 2026.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 29, 2025
Fans (50% of the vote) join NBA players (25%) and a media panel (25%) in selecting five players in each conference honored as starters.
Next fan update: 1/6. pic.twitter.com/pHykl9yhTE
For the record, there will be more updates over the coming months. Now that Jazz fans see that Markkanen isn't getting the votes he should get, that number could definitely climb in the next little while.
Not only has he been playing at an excellent level, but his presence has inarguably helped the Jazz notch their two most impressive wins of the season over two of the NBA's best teams: Detroit and San Antonio.
Fans shouldn't worry, for as long as Markkanen doesn't miss that many games - which is definitely up in the air at this point - and as long as he keeps playing at the level he has been playing, he should earn his second All-Star nod in due time. It's not surprising he's among the highest vote-getters, but it is sad that he's not even close.
It's harsh for Keyonte George too
Even if Markkanen hasn't gotten as many votes as he deserves, he at least has a strong enough reputation that he's in the top-20. Such is not the case with George, who is right in the middle of his breakout season where he's proving to have the talent to be a franchise cornerstone.
Because Utah isn't winning many games, George doesn't have the name recognition to earn him many All-Star votes. More national writers are noticing what George has accomplished with the Jazz this season, but because the team still isn't good overall, he won't get his flowers until that changes.
Like Markkanen, George has definitely played well enough for him to get All-Star recognition. Him making the team isn't out of the question, though, again, the Jazz's record will be held against him. All of this comes down to when the Jazz start winning games consistently.
That's probably out of the question this season, but definitely in play in 2027.