Commissioner Adam Silver named Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young and Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes as injury replacements for the NBA All-Star Game on Tuesday.
They will replace Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid and New York Knicks forward Julius Randle, who will be sidelined for the game with injuries. Embiid was voted in as a starter, while coaches selected Randle as a reserve for the Feb. 18 game.
Randle has a dislocated shoulder that’s expected to sideline him through late February. Embiid underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee that will sideline him for a minimum of four weeks.
The selection for Young is his third in six NBA seasons. The sharpshooter is averaging 27.3 points, 10.9 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game while shooting a career-high 38.4% from 3-point distance. His shooting percentage (43.5%), turnover rate (4.5 per game) and struggles on defense account for why he missed the initial cut for the team.
Barnes will make his first All-Star team in his third NBA season. The 2021-22 Rookie of the Year is averaging 20.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals while shooting 48.9% from the floor and 36.5% from 3-point distance, all career highs.
He’s taken center stage in Toronto with the in-season trades of Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers and OG Anunoby to the Knicks. The Raptors are focusing their rebuild and youth movement around the versatile 22-year-old.
As of Tuesday, there were no notable injuries on the Western Conference roster requiring a replacement.
