Inside The Celtics

Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis Not Selected as All-Star Game Replacements

Adam Silver's reasoning for not adding a third Celtic is surprising, sound, and reinforces the NBA should expand All-Star rosters.

Bobby Krivitsky

Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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The Boston Celtics already have two representatives in the NBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Feb. 18. For the second consecutive year, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will participate in the league's marquee exhibition contest.

Last season, the former, now a five-time selection, who will start in the All-Star Game for the fourth straight year, earned MVP honors, generating a record 55 points.

His battling one-on-one with Jaylen Brown was one of the highlights of the event.

Brown, who's now a three-time All-Star, is also considering participating in the Slam Dunk Contest.

But while many anticipated the Celtics' star tandem would have company the following day, neither Kristaps Porzingis nor Derrick White got selected as injury replacements for Joel Embiid and Julius Randle.

Instead, commissioner Adam Silver went with Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks and Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors.

Those are fine choices and allow more teams to have representation in this year's All-Star Game, which is a wise move from business and marketing selections.

But White is consistently stuffing the stat sheet, averaging 15.7 points, 4.7 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game while drilling nearly 40 percent of his 6.7 three-point attempts. The former Colorado Buffalo ranks in the 95th percentile in estimated plus-minus, per dunksandthrees.com.

Porzingis is generating 19.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, two assists, and nearly two blocks per contest. His versatility at both ends of the floor, especially his ability to punish switches, makes this the most dynamic team Boston's had in the Tatum and Brown era.

And with the Eastern Conference losing a player at the pivot in Embiid and a power forward in Randle from its All-Star roster, the seven-foot-three center from Latvia seemed a likely selection as a fill-in.

Instead, White and Porzingis will have more time to recharge during the break.

Further Reading

Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans

Jayson Tatum Shares What Went Through His Mind Seeing Celtics Fans Celebrate Marcus Smart

Celtics Reportedly Expressing Interest in Multiple Rotation Players

Derrick White Opens Up About Shooting Slump After Propelling Celtics Past Pelicans: 'Don't Feel Sorry for Yourself'

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Celtics Finding Joy in Basketball and Each Other's Company: 'We've Been Blessed'

Fixated on Winning, Jayson Tatum Again Proves He's Not 'Bored Making the Right Play Over and Over'

Brad Stevens Shares What Celtics Are Looking to Add and How He Hopes to Do So

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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