The league has announced its 2023 All-Star reserves during a pregame broadcast on TNT, as voted on by NBA head coaches. As usual, the list of 14 selections was loaded with some interesting surprises.
For the Eastern Conference, coaches voted in Sixers center Joel Embiid (the reigning Player of the Month in the East), Heat center Bam Adebayo, Bulls small wing DeMar DeRozan, Celtics shooting guard Jaylen Brown, Bucks point guard Jrue Holiday, and Knicks power forward Julius Randle. Holiday is making his second overall appearance in the All-Star festivities this year. He was last voted an All-Star a decade ago while playing for Philadelphia.
Among the most notable omissions in the East were a trio of point guards: the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson, the Hawks’ Trae Young, the Cavaliers’ Darius Garland, and the Sixers’ James Harden. Miami swingman Jimmy Butler also missed out. Young, Harden and Butler all made the cut last season.
Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant, Kings center Domantas Sabonis, Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Clippers forward Paul George, Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard, Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, and Grizzlies power forward Jaren Jackson Jr. were selected for the West.
Lakers center Anthony Davis, Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox, Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards, and Nuggets power forward Aaron Gordon were among the Western Conference snubs.
Gilgeous-Alexander, Markkanen and Jackson are the lone first-time All-Stars among these 14 picks.
All-Star weekend kicks off on February 17 in Salt Lake City. The All-Star game will transpire Sunday, February 19.
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