PHOENIX SUNS

Suns’ Devin Booker not named a 2023 NBA All-Star Game reserve

Feb 2, 2023, 5:26 PM | Updated: 5:42 pm

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker was not selected as a reserve for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game taking place on Feb. 19.

It would have marked Booker’s fourth-straight All-Star appearance and fourth overall as a pro.

While he missed out on being named a reserve, he could still potentially make the All-Star Game as an injury replacement given Zion Williamson’s current status.

Ahead of the announcement from the NBA on Thursday, Booker wasn’t a shoo-in to earn a roster spot given the guard’s availability and having missed 23 games this season.

Booker, who could be back in Phoenix’s lineup in the next week, has been out the past 19 games due to a groin injury suffered in a Christmas Day loss to the Denver Nuggets. In addition to the groin, he also dealt with a hamstring issue.

But before he went down, Booker was turning in one of his best seasons as a pro. In the 29 games played, the guard is averaging a career-best 27.1 points to go along with 4.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists. He is shooting 47.7% from the field and 37% from long range.

And if the stats didn’t make a good enough case for the guard, just take a look at his impact in the win-loss column. With Booker on the court, the Suns are 18-11 this season. Without him, Phoenix is 9-15 as it has dealt with his injury and others to key contributors.

While conference starters are voted on by fans (50% weight), players (25%) and a media panel (25%), All-Star reserves are decided by the 30 NBA head coaches.

LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Stephen Curry, Zion Williamson and Nikola Jokic make up the Western Conference starters. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyrie Irving, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum and Kevin Durant represent the Eastern Conference starters.

Serving as captains in their respective conferences, James and Antetokounmpo will select their All-Star squads the night of the game.

2023 NBA All-Star Game reserves

Western Conference

– Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
– Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
– Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
– Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
– Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
– Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz
– Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies

Eastern Conference

– Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
– DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls
– Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
– Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
– Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks
– Julius Randle, New York Knicks
– Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers

Phoenix Suns

Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against T.J. Warren #21 of th...
Associated Press

NBA, players agree on new multi-year labor agreement with in-season tournament

The league and its players reached a seven-year collective bargaining agreement Saturday, and ratification is expected to be a formality.
19 hours ago
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) motions after making a basket against the Denver Nuggets dur...
Kellan Olson

Durant returns to form, Suns drop level in win vs. shorthanded Nuggets

The Phoenix Suns had a great first half and a not so great second half on Friday in a win against the Denver Nuggets.
2 days ago
(Phoenix Suns Twitter photo)...
Wills Rice

Suns use early lead to hold on to win over injured Nuggets

The Phoenix Suns held on to beat the Denver Nuggets 100-93 on Friday at Footprint center behind Kevin Durant's 30 points.
2 days ago
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, drives the lane as Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis ...
Arizona Sports

Nikola Jokic, 3 other Nuggets out for clash vs. Suns

The Denver Nuggets list Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray among a group of key players as out on Friday against the Phoenix Suns.
2 days ago
(AP Photo/Abbie Parr)...
Tom Kuebel

Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert fined for comments on officiating in Suns game

Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert was fined $25,000 for comments made that criticized officiating after the team's 107-100 loss to the Suns.
2 days ago
(Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)...
Arizona Sports

How to watch the Suns, D-backs and Coyotes on Friday

It's going to be a busy night of athletics to end March with three of the Valley's four major sports teams in action on Friday.
2 days ago
Suns’ Devin Booker not named a 2023 NBA All-Star Game reserve