Cavaliers' Darius Garland, Raptors' Fred VanVleet make All-Star team for first time

Cavaliers guard Darius Garland and Raptors guard Fred VanVleet were chosen for the All-Star Game for the first time in their careers. They were named, along with a handful of other players, to the Eastern Conference All-Star reserve pool on Thursday, per an announcement from NBA Communications.

Garland is averaging 19.8 points and 8.2 assists per contest for the surprising Cavaliers. VanVleet has posted averages of 21.5 points and 7.0 assists per game this season.

The list of Eastern Conference reserves also includes the Nets’ James Harden, the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, the Bulls’ Zach LaVine, the Bucks’ Khris Middleton and the Heat’s Jimmy Butler. The reserves were chosen by the league’s coaches.

Garland will be playing in front of his home fans in Cleveland on February 20.

The pool of Eastern Conference starters was announced a week ago.

Sixers center Joel Embiid, Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nets forward Kevin Durant are the frontcourt starters, while the backcourt players in the starter pool are DeMar DeRozan (Bulls) and Trae Young (Hawks).