BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 2: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns carries the ball against the Boston Celtics during the second half at TD Garden on December 2, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Suns 116-111. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
On Wednesday, the NBA announced that Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker was selected to replace injured Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis in the NBA All-Star Game as a Western Conference All-Star reserve.
Davis will miss the game after suffering a right calf strain in a game against the Nuggets on February 14. NBA head coaches voted him as an All-Star reserve. This was his eighth consecutive All-Star selection. This season, Davis is averaging 22.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.78 blocks in 23 games.
Commissioner Adam Silver gave Booker the spot a day after Booker was snubbed for a reserve spot in the March 7 game set to take place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. This marks Booker’s second straight NBA All-Star selection, and both were selections as an injury replacement.
Booker is averaging a team-high 24.7 points for the Suns, which is 16th overall in the NBA. He is also chipping in with 4.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds and is shooting a career-high 50.1 percent from the field.
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On Wednesday night, Booker received a big ovation from the Phoenix crowd when the star guard was announced as an All-Star for this season during starting lineup introductions. Suns coach Monty Williams told the media pregame that the honor was well deserved.
“The situation at the time was a bit weird for us when Devin didn’t get a call, but we’re grateful for what has transpired over the last few hours, and we’re just happy for Book,” said Williams.
Booker and fellow All-Star Chris Paul have helped the Suns get to their current 20-10 record, which is the fourth-best in the NBA. The last time the Suns had two All-Stars was in 2009-2010 with Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire.
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