PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 16: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers fires up the crowd during the second half of Game Two of the Western Conference quarterfinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2019 NBA Playoffs Moda Center on April 16, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. The Blazers won 114-94. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard is having one of his best seasons as a pro. With 29.5 points per game and 7.9 assists per game, he’s well-deserving of an All-Star Game selection. However, a groin injury is set to keep him out of the big game this weekend. As a result, he needs a replacement to take his spot in Chicago.
The NBA has announced that Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker will replace Lillard in the All-Star Game. It will be Booker’s first All-Star selection since he entered the NBA in 2015.
Booker has been having a very strong year. He’s currently averaging 26.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game while posting career highs in field goal and free throw percentages.
Unfortunately for the Suns, Booker’s stellar play hasn’t been enough to get them over the hump. They’re currently 22-33 – third in the Pacific, and six games below Memphis for the eighth playoff spot.
Phoenix’s Devin Booker has been selected to replace Damian Lillard in the 2020 NBA All-Star Game.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 13, 2020
As for Lillard, he is scheduled to undergo an MRI today on a groin injury.
Interestingly enough, it was Lillard who advocated for Booker to get the replacement spot in the All-Star Game.
Speaking to the media after yesterday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies, he expressed his hopes that Booker would get in if he couldn’t go.
Via CBSSports:
“My health is first,” Lillard said. “I’ll still be there and be a part of it, but I’m not going to be able to play. Hopefully, somebody that should have been there but didn’t make it [will take my place]. Unfortunately, I had to be the fall guy, but hopefully, Devin Booker or somebody like that will get the spot…”
Portland will certainly have their fingers crossed that Lillard gets back to full health soon. The Blazers are 25-31, and several games behind Memphis for the last playoff spot.
Will Damian Lillard get back in time to help Portland make a playoff push?
