In a stunning turn of events, Kyrie Irving has been named to the NBA All-Star team as an injury replacement for his new Dallas Mavericks teammate Anthony Davis. The announcement comes just days after Irving was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Mavs in a blockbuster deal.
Irving’s 9th All-Star Selection
This marks the 9th time in Kyrie Irving’s illustrious career that he has been selected as an All-Star. The 32-year-old guard is averaging an impressive 24.1 points and 4.8 assists per game this season while shooting a scorching 47.5% from the field and 40.7% from beyond the arc.
Kyrie is one of the most skilled and exciting players in our league. It’s only fitting that he gets to join the All-Star festivities in the midst of this big transition to a new team.
– NBA Commissioner Adam Silver
Davis Sidelined with Injury
Unfortunately, Kyrie Irving’s All-Star addition comes at the expense of Anthony Davis, who will now miss the game due to a left adductor strain. The Mavericks’ newly-acquired superstar is expected to be out for multiple weeks as he recovers.
- Anthony Davis was initially selected as an All-Star starter
- He was traded with Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks last week
- Davis averaged 25.6 points and 11.9 rebounds in 26 games this season
Trae Young Also Named as Replacement
In another All-Star shakeup, Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young was selected to replace injured Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Young, who many felt was snubbed when the initial rosters were announced, now gets a well-deserved spot in the showcase event.
New All-Star Format Adds Intrigue
The 2025 NBA All-Star Game will feature a thrilling new format, with a three-game tournament pitting four teams against each other in chase of the ultimate glory. The captains, LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal, drafted their teams in a highly-anticipated event last week.
This new All-Star format is going to be incredible. The competition will be fierce and the energy will be off the charts. I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.
– Kyrie Irving on joining Team Shaq
With stars dropping out and being replaced, and a never-before-seen tournament structure, the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend is shaping up to be one for the ages. Kyrie Irving now finds himself at the center of the storm, thrust into the spotlight on his new team. An incredibly exciting event just got even more intriguing with these last-minute changes.
