Phoenix Suns star guard Devin Booker was chosen to replace injured Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis in next month’s NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta, the league announced Wednesday.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver selected Booker to take Davis’ spot a day after Booker was snubbed by the league’s head coaches for a reserve spot in the annual All-Star Game.
The decision to omit Booker shocked fans and players around the league, including Lakers star and Western Conference captain LeBron James.
“Devin Booker is the most disrespected player in our league!!! Simple as that,” James wrote on Twitter after Booker was left out Tuesday.
Davis, who was voted in as a reserve, currently is sidelined by a strained right calf and Achilles tendinosis.
With the switch, Booker earned his second consecutive All-Star selection, both as an injury replacement. He has averaged 24.7 points, 4.3 assists and 3.8 rebounds this season.
Booker and fellow All-Star teammate Chris Paul have helped guide the Suns to a 20-10 record in the 2020-21 campaign. Phoenix last had two All-Star choices on the same team in 2009-10 with Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire.
James and Eastern Conference captain Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets will pick their rosters from the reserve pool on March 4. The All-Star Game is scheduled for March 7 in Atlanta.