Indiana Pacers star Domantas Sabonis will replace Brooklyn Nets injured forward Kevin Durant in the All-Star Game, the NBA announced Friday.
The news came shortly after the Nets announced that Durant, who was named team starter and captain, will remain out during the All-Star break with a left hamstring tendon.
Durant will be replaced as a starter by Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, the highest-ranked striker among the Eastern Conference reserves, and Sabonis will take Tatum’s place among the reserves. It is still unclear whether Durant will remain captain of the team in charge of selecting players despite not playing in the match.
Sabonis, 24, has averaged 21.1 points per game and 5.7 assists to add 11.7 rebounds per game this season. He ranks second in the league in doubles doubles with 24 and has recorded three triple-doubles for the 15-15 Pacers.
Sabonis, who is in his first year of a four-year, $ 75 million extension, will receive a $ 1.3 million bonus for being selected for the All-Star game as a replacement player, according to Bobby Marks of ‘ESPN.
This is Sabonis’ second consecutive All-Star selection.