It’s becoming a lock every year now: Jayson Tatum is an All-Star starter.

The Celtics star was named an All-Star starter for the fourth consecutive season prior to Thursday night’s game against the Heat in an announcement on TNT. He’ll join Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetekounmpo, Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid, Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton and Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard in the Eastern Conference starting five for the 2024 All-Star Game, which takes place on Feb. 18 in Indiana.

The 25-year-old Tatum is now a five-time All-Star. It’s his second consecutive season being named as a starter on his own merit after being a replacement starter in both 2021 and 2022 for the injured Kevin Durant. Last season, Tatum was named the All-Star Game MVP after scoring a record 55 points.

Tatum’s numbers are down from last season – 27.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game – as he’s surrounded by more talent on the Celtics, but he’s still leading the way both offensively and defensively as the C’s have raced out to the best record in the NBA.

“You never want to take it for granted,” Tatum told TNT. “There’s 450 guys in the league and for the fans to consistently vote for me, it’s truly an honor and something I don’t take for granted. I grew up wanting to be in All-Star weekend every year, and to live out that dream in real time, it’s pretty cool. So, I’m very grateful and thankful for that, and excited.”

In the Western Conference, Los Angeles’ LeBron James, Phoenix’s Kevin Durant, Denver’s Nikola Jokic, Dallas’ Luka Docic and Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. For the first time since 2017, the NBA is going back to the traditional East-West format for this All-Star Game after several years of holding a draft.

All-Star starter voting was based on a combination of fan (50%), coaches (25%) and media (25%). Celtics star Jaylen Brown just missed out on being named a starter, as he finished fourth among East frontcourt players in the vote, which means he will almost certainly be named a reserve and become an All-Star for the third time. Reserves are selected by the league’s head coaches and will be announced next Thursday.