NBA All-Star Game 2024: The biggest snubs after reserves unveiling
The NBA on Thursday unveiled the seven reserve players from each conference to complete the rosters for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 18 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo led all players in fan voting to represent the Eastern Conference as a starter. Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James was the lead vote-getter in the Western Conference and will be one of the two captains in the game.
Joining Antetokounmpo in the starting lineup are Joel Embiid (Philadelphia), Jayson Tatum (Boston), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana) and Damian Lillard (Milwaukee). In the West: Kevin Durant (Phoenix), Nikola Jokic (Denver), Luka Doncic (Dallas) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City).
The 30 head coaches in the NBA voted on the seven reserves in each conference. Each selected two guards, three frontcourt players and two additional players from any position but were not permitted to choose players from their team.
The 14 reserve players that will join the 10 starters:
Eastern Conference | Western Conference |
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat | |
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers | |
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers | |
Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers | |
Julius Randle, New York Knicks | Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves |
With the rosters set, Rookie Wire took a look at some of the biggest snubs from the announcement of the reserves. The players listed figure to have the best chance of replacing Embiid (knee) and Randle (shoulder), who are injured and not expected to play in the game.
Eastern Conference: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Stats: 27 points, 10.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals
Young is among the biggest snubs from the All-Star Game for the second straight year after another productive campaign. He is fourth in the Eastern Conference in scoring — the highest scoring average of those players snubbed — and second in assists through 42 games. He has produced a league-leading 25 games with at least 20 points and 10 assists and is the only player to dish out 450 assists this season. He can become the first player since Steve Nash from 2009-2012 to lead the league in total assists in three straight years. Ultimately, his chances were likely hurt, in part, because of the Hawks‘ 20-27 record.
Eastern Conference: Derrick White, Boston Celtics
Stats: 15.8 points, 4.7 assists. 4 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 1 steal
Derrick White is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, blocks and 3-point percentage (40.0). He is the fourth-leading scorer on the Celtics, though offers more than just scoring, ranking first in the league in net rating (plus-12.3) and 16th in total blocks (53). His stats likely don’t jump off the page like others on this list, but White has been instrumental in the Celtics posting the best record in the NBA entering play on Thursday (37-11).
For more coverage on the Celtics, visit Celtics Wire
Eastern Conference: Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers
Stats: 17.2 points, 7 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.3 assists
Hall of Famer Charles Barkley picked Myles Turner to be named a reserve player behind a “fabulous” season and thought he was among the biggest snubs. He earned the last spot on our list in the Eastern Conference over Celtics forward Kristaps Porzingis, in large part because of his availability. Turner has played 46 games this season, compared to 34 for Porzingis entering play on Thursday. He has been a key player for the Pacers this season and has helped the group remain in playoff contention (27-21), with his offense and ability to protect the paint.
Western Conference: De'Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
Stats: 27.2 points, 5.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 1.6 steals
The fifth-placed Kings (27-19) failed to have a player named as a reserve player, which is likely surprising considering they have two great candidates (more on the other one in a second). Fox is having a career year and probably the biggest snub this year. He is sixth in the Western Conference in scoring and tied for sixth in the league with four 40-point games. He recently surpassed his career high in 3-pointers for a season (120) and is converting a career-high 38% from beyond the arc. The thought of Fox not making the All-Star Game, as you might guess, isn’t sitting well in Sacramento as the 26-year-old is having his best year to date.
Western Conference: Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
Stats: 19.9 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists
Sabonis leads the league in rebounds and double-doubles (42), and is second in triple-doubles (13). He has registered a double-double in 29 consecutive games, tied for the second-longest streak in franchise history and the longest streak in a single season. Along with Fox, Sabonis probably should been an All-Star this year, and with no current injured players in the conference, it looks increasingly likely that neither will make the team as a replacement player.
Western Conference: Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
Stats: 21.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.2 steals
Sengun is enjoying a career year after taking a huge leap in several statistical categories. The third-year forward likely suffered in the voting due to a very competitive field of players in the Western Conference and a recent sub-.500 record for the Rockets (22-25). However, Sengun has had an outstanding year and is in the conversation for Most Improved Player.
For more coverage on the Rockets, visit Rockets Wire
