Domantas Sabonis won his second consecutive NBA All-Star selection.
NEW YORK– Indiana Pacers striker Domantas Sabonis was appointed by NBA commissioner Adam Silver to replace Brooklyn Nets striker Kevin Durant on 2021 NBA All-Star Game, which will be played on Sunday, March 7, at the State Farm Arena, in Atlanta.
Sabonis won his second consecutive NBA All-Star selection. He has averaged 21.5 points, 11.7 rebounds (fifth in the NBA) and 5.7 assists in 30 games this season. He joins NBA All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee Bucks, Nikola Jokić of Denver Nuggets and Julius Randle of New York Knicks as the only players averaging at least 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per match. A Lithuanian veteran of the NBA for five years, Sabonis ranks second in the league in doubles, with 24, and registered three doubles.
Domantas Sabonis will replace injured Kevin Durant in 2021 #NBAAllStar Match. pic.twitter.com/WC0cEqJpTR
– NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 26, 2021
Durant will not play the NBA All-Star Game because of a strain on his left hamstring, which has made him miss the last six games. He has an average of 29.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 19 games. Durant was named NBA All-Star Game holder and team captain, his 11thº All-Star selection.
According to NBA rules, when a player selected for the All-Star Game is unable to participate, the Commissioner must choose a substitute from the same conference as the player being replaced. Durant and Sabonis play for the Eastern Conference teams.
Durant will be replaced in the NBA All-Star Draft starter group by Boston Celtics striker Jayson Tatum, who was selected as an All-Star reserve. According to NBA rules, an injured All-Star starting player is replaced in the NBA All-Star Draft starting pool by the All-Star reserve from the same conference and position group that received the highest rating in the vote for All-Star Beginners. Tatum will be selected with the holders in the first round of the NBA All-Star Draft, while Sabonis will be selected with the reserves in the second round. The NBA All-Star Draft will air on TNT on Thursday, March 4 at 8:00 pm ET.
The 70sº The NBA All-Star Game is part of the NBA All-Star 2021, which will take place on one night, March 7. TNT NBA All-Star coverage will begin at 5:00 pm Eastern time with TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by CarMaxfollowed by Taco Bell® Skills Challenge and MTN DEW® 3-point competition starting at 18:30 ET. NBA All-Star Game coverage will begin at 8 pm Eastern Time, with AT&T Slam Dunk taking place at halftime.