NBA News: LaMelo Ball Will Replace Kevin Durant at NBA All-Star Game

When the 2022 NBA All-Star game starters were revealed a few weeks back, Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant earned yet another All-Star nod. With the most fan

Justin Grasso | Feb 7, 2022

NBA News: LaMelo Ball Will Replace Kevin Durant at NBA All-Star Game /

When the 2022 NBA All-Star game starters were revealed a few weeks back, Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant earned yet another All-Star nod. With the most fan votes in the Eastern Conference, it was obvious Durant was on his way to picking up his 12th All-Star honors.

However, not too long after Durant officially notched another ticket to the All-Star game, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported that Brooklyn's superstar forward intended to sit out this season, as he's dealing with a setback.

A few weeks ago, Durant left Brooklyn's matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans early as he suffered a knee injury. After undergoing an MRI, the Nets revealed Durant's official diagnosis on January 16.

The Statement

"Following an MRI this morning, Kevin Durant was diagnosed with a sprained medial collateral of the left knee. Durant is expected to return to full strength following a period of rehabilitation. Updates regarding his return will be provided as appropriate."

For the last 11 games, Durant has been sidelined with his injury. And now that he's officially withdrawn from the All-Star game this season, NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced his replacement on Monday afternoon.

According to a press release, Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball will replace Durant this year. While Ball won't start in Durant's place later this month, the Brooklyn forward's absence will allow Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum to start.

With Ball replacing Durant in this year's All-Star Game, the second-year former Rookie of the Year winner will earn his first All-Stars nod. Ball, Joel Embiid, and the rest of the NBA All-Stars will make their way to Cleveland to play in the big game on Sunday, February 20, in Cleveland, Ohio. The game will tip-off at 8 PM ET.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.

Published Feb 7, 2022

JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA