Update: Due to ongoing rehab for a calf and achilles injury, Lakers big man Anthony Davis will not participate in the 2021 NBA All-Star Game. He will be replaced by the Suns’ Devin Booker who was chosen by the NBA after not being initially selected as a Western Conference All-Star.
The NBA announces Devin Booker replaces Anthony Davis for the All-Star Game
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 24, 2021
After All-Star picks were announced, Lakers star LeBron James called Booker the “most disrespected player in our league.” James will be one of the team captains able to draft his roster to compete in the game in Atlanta.
Original post follows:
Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis has been named as a reserve for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game according to Shams Charania. Davis will likely miss the game as he is still recovering from a calf and achilles injury, allowing commissioner Adam Silver to name his replacement.
Davis is averaging 22.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game this season despite some concern over a down year with respect to last season’s championship run. He beat out notable players like DeMar DeRozan, Brandon Ingram, and Devin Booker who all have claims for his spot if Davis does opt out of the game.
This is Davis’ eighth straight All-Star selection, having only missed it in the rookie year of his distinguished career.
The Lakers’ LeBron James was the leading vote-getter and will be making his selections as captain of one of the All-Star teams, going head to head against the Nets’ Kevin Durant.
There has been much criticism of the NBA for progressing with a physical All-Star Game in Atlanta amid still surging numbers of positive Coronavirus tests. James has been among the players vocal about the issue, citing the NBA’s initial decision to not hold a game, but has made clear that he will partake in the game, regardless.
