LaMelo Ball, Dejounte Murray set for debut All-Star Game appearance
Duo set to replace injured Kevin Durant and Draymond Green
The 2022 All-Star Game will include two more new faces after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has announced that two of the league’s stars, LaMelo Ball and Dejounte Murray, have been drafted in for next Sunday’s game after injuries ruled out some of the starters.
LaMelo Ball is one of the stars of the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA this season. The 20-year-old is only in his second season in the NBA and is the reigning Rookie of the Year. Ball is averaging 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game this season.
LaMelo Ball will be replacing injured Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant in the East Pool, with the experienced forward still out with a sprained Medial Collateral Ligament. 12-time All-Star Durant is set to miss the All-Star Game for a second year running, having missed last year’s edition through injury as well.
San Antonio Spurs forward Dejounte Murray has been in impressive form for his side this season, averaging 19.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game. He will be replacing another Olympic gold medalist and Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green, who has been out since January 9th with a back injury.
The full draft pool for the All-Star Game is as follows;
Team LeBron: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Steph Curry, DeMar DeRozan, Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, Ja Morant, Trae Young, Devin Booker, Jimmy Butler, Andrew Wiggins, Luka Doncic.
Team Durant: Darius Garland, Rudy Gobert, Dejounte Murray, James Harden, Zach LaVine, Khris Middleton, Donovan Mitchell, Chris Paul, Jayson Tatum, Karl-Anthony Towns, Fred VanVleet.
The selection of the players from the pool is going to take place on February 10th, and the All-Star Game is set for February 20th.
