Suns’ Devin Booker named All-Star injury replacement for Anthony Davis
Feb 24, 2021, 4:57 PM | Updated: 6:24 pm
Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the second half of the NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Phoenix Suns Arena on January 06, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Raptors 123-115. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
For the second straight year, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker is earning an All-Star nod as an injury replacement.
The NBA announced on Wednesday that Booker will be the All-Star replacement for Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis.
“We were pretty down about it, happy for Chris, but we understood the situation at the time was a bit weird for us when Devin didn’t get the call but we’re grateful for what has transpired over the last few hours,” Suns head coach Monty Williams said pregame Wednesday.
Booker, 24, was left out of the Western Conference reserves that were revealed on Tuesday. That brought on several strong reactions to the two-guard being snubbed, including Lakers forward LeBron James tweeting that Booker is the most disrespected player in the NBA.
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Davis has a right calf strain that is expected to keep him out until at least mid-March. The replacement is picked by league commissioner Adam Silver, who also selected Booker last year as the stand-in for Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard.
Booker is averaging 24.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, shooting a career-high 50.1% from the field. He will join teammate Chris Paul as a fellow All-Star, making it the first time in over a decade the Suns have had two All-Stars.
The All-Star Game takes place on March 7. The game will once again have two teams drafted by the top vote-getter in each conference, with this year’s captains being James and Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant.
