Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker will replace Damian Lillard in this weekend’s all-star festivities in Chicago.
The league made the announcement Thursday morning after the Portland guard suffered a groin injury Wednesday night. Commissioner Adam Silver made the decision to replace Lillard with Booker, who scored a team-high 27 points in Phoenix’s last game before the break – a 112-106 win over the Warriors. Booker will also take Lillard’s spot in the 3-point contest on Saturday night, as well.
Lillard gave Booker his vote of confidence on Wednesday night after announcing he was backing out this weekend.
“Unfortunately I had to be the fall guy,” he said after the game. “Hopefully Devin Booker or somebody like that’ll get the spot.”
Booker will play on Team LeBron and be joined by the likes of Anthony Davis, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Luka Doncic and others.
It marks the first time Phoenix will have an All-Star game representative since Steve Nash was selected in 2012.
The popular Phoenix guard is averaging 26.3 points, 6.3 assists and 4.7 rebounbds this season.
