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Report: Kevin Durant to be replaced by Domantas Sabonis on East All-Star team

With the Nets superstar still dealing with a hamstring injury, the Pacers forward will land on the East All-Star team again.

By Benjamin Zweiman Updated
Domantas Sabonis of the Indiana Pacers shoots a free throw during the game against the Golden State Warriors on February 24, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by A.J. Mast/NBAE via Getty Images

Brooklyn Nets F Kevin Durant will be replaced by Indiana Pacers PF Domantas Sabonis for the Eastern Conference in the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Friday afternoon. Durant is dealing with a hamstring injury and the Nets ruled him out until at least the All-Star break. Sabonis was snubbed from the East All-Stars after making the team for the first time in 2019-20.

Durant was supposed to be the captain of the East All-Stars, so we’ll need to see who will replace him in that role. It could be teammate Kyrie Irving or reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. We’ll also need to see if this clears the way for Nets G James Harden to replace Durant in the starting lineup. The Nets starters were announced as Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal, Durant, Giannis and Joel Embiid. Beal could move to SF with Harden playing in the backcourt with Irving.

Update: Boston Celtics F Jayson Tatum will replace Durant in the starting lineup.

Sabonis is definitely deserving of being an All-Star this season, averaging 21.5 points, 11.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists on 52/35/70 shooting splits. He made his first All-Star game last season after averaging similar numbers: 18.5 points, 12.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists over 62 games. The Pacers have been riddled with injuries this season and are still in good standing in the East, entering Friday at 15-15 and in the 4-seed in the conference.

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