Domantas Sabonis and Jayson Tatum to Replace Kevin Durant in All-Star Game

It was announced on Friday that Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant will remain out through the All-Star break. Durant suffered a hamstring injury Feb. 13 against the Warriors and he “will require an additional recovery period”. It has not been an easy month for KD as he missed three games due to health and safety protocols prior to his injury. Durant was voted team captain for this year’s All-Star Game as the Eastern Conference’s lead vote-getter. There is no update on if his status as captain will remain in terms of drafting from the player pool.

The NBA announced his replacement will be Indiana Pacers Forward Domantas Sabonis. This will be his second straight All-Star selection as he is currently averaging 21.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. By being selected as a replacement player, Sabonis will also receive a $1.3 million bonus. Celtics’ Jayson Tatum will replace Durant as a starter with him being the highest ranking forward amongst reverses in the East.

Some notable replacements that weren’t chosen are Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, Bam Adebayo, Trae Young, and Khris Middleton. With NBA All-Star 2021 hosted in Atlanta, the Hawks’ star guard Young was hoping to receive the nod. Especially since he was voted as a starter in last year’s game. Trae Young is the first player in the last 30 years to average at least 25 points and 9 assists and not make the All-Star Game.

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