An injury to a perennial NBA All-Star opened the door for a second San Antonio Spur to take the All-Star Game stage this weekend in Los Angeles.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver selected Spurs point guard De’Aaron Fox on Thursday as an All-Star ahead of the 75th NBA All-Star Game Sunday night.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is bowing out of the game, has not played since Jan. 23 due to a right calf strain.
The Antetokounmpo injury has prompted a game of musical chairs in the first year of the NBA’s new U.S. versus World All-Star Game format.
Miami Heat All-Star guard Norman Powell, who was originally selected as a U.S. All-Star and has ties to Jamaica, is replacing Antetokounmpo on the World All-Star roster. Fox, 28, will now occupy Powell’s vacated U.S. All-Star spot.
Fox, who is averaging 19.4 points and 6.3 assists in 45 games for the Western Conference’s second seed, is now an All-Star for the second time in his professional career.
Fox scored a team-high 27 points Wednesday night in San Antonio’s comeback win against the Golden State Warriors. After the game, reporters asked Fox about his plans for the All-Star break.
“No. No. I’m going to be at home,” Fox said late Wednesday. “I’m going to be at home. I’m not doing much. … Plus, it’s easier to get in the gym and easier to get shots up. So, I don’t have to worry about that.”
The former Kentucky Wildcat, who will join first-time All-Star Game starter Victor Wembanyama, now has new plans for All-Star weekend.
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