NEW YORK — Al Horford, Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague were picked Thursday as reserves for the Eastern Conference All-Star team, giving the sizzling Atlanta Hawks three selections.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were selected in the West, despite early season injuries for the Oklahoma City Thunder stars. The Miami Heat also had two reserves selected in Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.
The Portland Trail Blazers surprisingly only had one selection in LaMarcus Aldridge, as point guard Damian Lillard did not make the cut.
Atlanta has won 17 in a row and has a 38-8 record, second-best in the NBA. The Hawks were hoping for four selections, but Kyle Korver was not chosen by East coaches.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving and first-timer Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls were the other players announced to the East roster.
The rest of the West reserves for the Feb. 15 game in New York are James Harden (Houston Rockets), Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors), Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs) and Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers).
Head coaches in each conference had to vote for two guards, three frontcourt players and two players regardless of position. They couldn’t vote for players on their own teams.
The starters for both teams were voted by fans and announced last Thursday.
Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant is out for the rest of the season after surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder, and his replacement on the roster will be chosen by Commissioner Adam Silver. West coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors will decide who takes Bryant’s spot in the lineup.
Atlanta’s Mike Budenholzer will lead the East.
Thumbnail photo via Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports Images
