Since the original 2021 NBA All-Star lineups were announced there have been several substitutions. For a variety of reasons, players have been replaced and others granted spots on the roster. The most recent lineup change features a young superstar. Zion Williamson will now start in place of Joel Embiid for Team Durant. This is due to contact tracing protocols that have led to Embiid being announced ineligible for the weekend festivities.
Williamson was already named to the All-Star roster as a reserve, now he will have the chance to start in just his second season. The replacements started when the Los Angeles Lakers‘ big man Anthony Davis had to sit out due to injury. AD is recovering from a right calf strain. Devin Booker was given the spot held by Davis. Booker was also named to the Three-Point Contest.
As it turns out, Book will not be able to participate either. After suffering a left knee sprain the young guard out of Phoenix will be replaced by Mike Conley. The veteran point guard earned his first-ever All-Star selection after being named the replacement for Book.
Booker will miss the All-Star Game due to a left knee sprain. He was named as a replacement for Lakers‘ Anthony Davis. https://t.co/S7zuocbogR
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 6, 2021
Since that was announced on Saturday, there have been more movements. Not only is Embiid ruled ineligible due to contact with a COVID positive individual, but a teammate was also exposed. Ben Simmons is being ruled ineligible to play in the game as he was exposed to the same individual as Embiid. The individual is apparently the personal barber of the All-Star teammates. COVID-19 has presented many challenges to the NBA season and the 2021 NBA All-Star Weekend is no different. The show will go on and there will be plenty of exciting plays and moments in store for fans.
