CHICAGO — Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker has been named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace injured Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard on Team LeBron in the 2020 NBA All-Star Game, which will be played on Sunday, Feb. 16 at the United Center in Chicago. Booker will also replace Lillard in the 2020 MTN DEW® 3-Point Contest on Saturday, Feb. 15 at the United Center.
Booker has earned his first NBA All-Star selection in his fifth season, becoming the Suns’ first All-Star since Steve Nash in the 2011-12 season. The 6-5 guard is averaging 26.4 points (10th in NBA), 6.3 assists and 4.2 rebounds while posting career highs in field goal percentage (49.6) and free throw percentage (92.0).
Booker, the 2018 MTN DEW® 3-Point Contest champion, joins an eight-player field that includes 2019 champion Joe Harris of the Brooklyn Nets and 2020 NBA All-Star Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks.
Lillard, who ranks fourth in the NBA in scoring (29.5 ppg), will miss the 2020 NBA All-Star Game after suffering a groin strain in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 12. He was named an All-Star for the fifth time this season.
According to NBA rules, when a player selected to the All-Star Game is unable to participate, the Commissioner shall choose a replacement from the same conference as the player who is being replaced. Booker and Lillard both play for Western Conference teams.
The 69th NBA All-Star Game – Team LeBron vs. Team Giannis – will air live on Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. ET on TNT and ESPN Radio in the United States. The MTN DEW® 3-Point Contest is part of State Farm® All-Star Saturday Night, which also features the Taco Bell® Skills Challenge and AT&T Slam Dunk. All-Star Saturday Night will air live on TNT and ESPN Radio in the United States on Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. ET.
