Commissioner Adam Silver has announced the addition of Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young and Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes to the NBA All-Star Game lineup. They step in for injured players Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers and Julius Randle of the New York Knicks.
Embiid, who secured a starting spot through fan voting, is recovering from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, sidelining him for at least four weeks. Randle, selected as a reserve by coaches, is nursing a dislocated shoulder that will likely keep him out until late February.
This marks Young’s third All-Star selection in six seasons. Despite impressive statistics averaging 27.3 points, 10.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, along with a career-high 38.4% shooting from beyond the arc, his shooting percentage, turnover rate (4.5 per game), and defensive performance initially left him off the roster.
Barnes earns his maiden All-Star nod in his third NBA campaign. The reigning Rookie of the Year has been pivotal for the Raptors, posting career highs in points (20.2), rebounds (8.1), assists (5.8), blocks (1.5), and steals (1.2), while shooting 48.9% from the field and 36.5% from downtown.
His emergence has been accentuated by Toronto’s strategic trades during the season, emphasizing a youthful rebuild around the versatile 22-year-old.
In contrast to the Eastern Conference, the Western Conference roster remains intact with no significant injury replacements as of Tuesday.
