For the second season in a row, the Boston Celtics will have an All-Star starter on their team — and for the second time in a row, it will be because of Brooklyn Nets star forward Kevin Durant is too dinged up to play in the annual exhibition game due to injury.
The NBA announced that All-Star forward Jayson Tatum has been tapped to fill in for Durant as an All-Star starter with the Nets star rehabbing a sprained MCL that will likely have Durant out beyond the 2022 All-Star Game to be held in Cleveland, Ohio on Feb. 20. in the home arena of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Tatum had been named an All-Star reserve last week, but as the fourth-highest frontcourt vote-getter in fan voting, was the next man up as it were.
Taking Tatum’s spot as a reserve in the East is LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets, and taking the place of Golden State Warriors big man Draymond Green in the West All-Star reserves is San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray, given Green will not play due to nagging injuries as well.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum will replace injured Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant as a starter in the All-Star Game. Tatum was named as an All-Star reserve last week. https://t.co/0pnPs0zegU
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 7, 2022
This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
