Brooklyn Nets center Jahlil Okafor (4) blocks a shot attempt by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mark D. Smith
Reigning NBA MVP Russell Westbrook heads the list of reserves for the NBA All-Star Game, which were announced Tuesday.
The Oklahoma City Thunder star is close to matching the triple-double average he produced last season, as he is currently at 24.8 points, 10.1 assists and 9.7 rebounds per game. Westbrook was one of seven players picked from Western Conference teams for the Feb. 18 contest at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Also selected from the West were two Minnesota Timberwolves (swingman Jimmy Butler and center Karl-Anthony Towns) and two Golden State Warriors (forward Draymond Green and guard Klay Thompson).
San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge and Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard were chosen, too.
Among the seven players selected to the Eastern Conference team were the Washington Wizards’ backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal. Also chosen were Cleveland Cavaliers forward/center Kevin Love, New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis, Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry, Boston Celtics center Al Horford and Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo.
The list of omissions includes Oklahoma City forward Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams and Philadelphia 76ers rookie Ben Simmons.
The 10 starters for the game were announced last week, but who plays for which team is still to be determined.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (Eastern Conference) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (Western) were the leading vote-getters for the game and will serve as captains.
The two will draft players later this week. Joining James as Eastern players named starters are Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid and Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving.
Others voted in as starters from the West include Curry’s teammate, forward
Kevin Durant, plus Houston Rockets guard James Harden and the New Orleans Pelicans’ big-man duo of Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins.The new format will feature James and Curry choosing players from among starters and the reserves. James will have first pick due to receiving more votes than Curry (2,638,294 to 2,379,494).
The rosters will be announced Thursday.
