MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 01: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts to a three point shot during the second half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on December 01, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball named as an injury replacement for 2022 All-Star Game
NBA has announced that LaMelo Ball will replace Kevin Durant as an All-Star reserve from the Eastern Conference for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 20 in Cleveland. He is the first Hornets player to earn the honour since Kemba Walker in 2019.
Ball will replace injured Eastern Conference captain Kevin Durant, while Spurs’ Dejounte Murray will replace Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green. Ball averages 19.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.5 steals in 47 games. He ranks 10th in assists in the league this season. The young star is also the second-youngest player in NBA history to reach five career-triple doubles.
Murray, on the other hand, has been impressive for the San Antonio Spurs. Despite the team’s worries, he has averaged a career-best 19.6 points and 9.2 assists per game, with 2.1 steals per game (1st in NBA). He is also a frontrunner for the Most Improved Player award.
Durant is out due to a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. He was a leading candidate to win the MVP award this season before the devastating injury. The 33-year old is averaging 29.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 36 games. Draymond Green, meanwhile, suffered from a lower back/disc injury. In his presence, the Warriors have been a dominating force in the West. Green averages 7.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.38 steals and 1.21 blocks in 34 games.
| PLAYER | TEAM | POSITION |
|---|---|---|
| Trae Young* | Atlanta Hawks | Guard |
| DeMar DeRozan* | Chicago Bulls | Guard |
| Kevin Durant* (team captain, will not play due to injury) | Brooklyn Nets | Frontcourt |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo* | Milwaukee Bucks | Frontcourt |
| Joel Embiid* | Philadelphia 76ers | Frontcourt |
| Jayson Tatum* (replacement starter for injured Durant) | Boston Celtics | Frontcourt |
| Zach LaVine | Chicago Bulls | Guard |
| James Harden | Brooklyn Nets | Guard |
| Khris Middleton | Milwaukee Bucks | Frontcourt |
| Darius Garland | Cleveland Cavaliers | Wildcard |
| Fred VanVleet | Toronto Raptors | Wildcard |
| LaMelo Ball (injury replacement player) | Charlotte Hornets | Guard |
| PLAYER | TEAM | POSITION |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen Curry* | Golden State Warriors | Guard |
| Ja Morant* | Memphis Grizzlies | Guard |
| LeBron James* (captain) | Los Angeles Lakers | Frontcourt |
| Nikola Jokic* | Denver Nuggets | Frontcourt |
| Andrew Wiggins* | Golden State Warriors | Frontcourt |
| Devin Booker | Phoenix Suns | Guard |
| Chris Paul | Phoenix Suns | Guard |
| Rudy Gobert | Utah Jazz | Frontcourt |
| Draymond Green (will not play due to injury) | Golden State Warriors | Frontcourt |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Minnesota Timberwolves | Frontcourt |
| Luka Doncic | Dallas Mavericks | Wildcard |
| Donovan Mitchell | Utah Jazz | Wildcard |
| Dejounte Murray (injury replacement player) | San Antonio Spurs | Guard |
*Starter
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