Blazers' LaMarcus Aldridge to start All-Star Game
Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge will take New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis' place in the starting lineup for the Western Conference in Sunday's All-Star Game.
ESPN's Marc Stein reported earlier that he was "hearing Kevin Durant is being lined up" to take Davis's spot but West coach Steve Kerr decided on Aldridge instead.
New Orleans Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis was set to start in the game but decided to withdraw as he continues his recovery from a shoulder sprain.
Coaches voted Aldridge as a reserve for the Western Conference, along with the Oklahoma City Thunder's Durant, the San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan, the Houston Rockets' James Harden, the Los Angeles Clippers' Chris Paul, the Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson and the Thunder's Russell Westbrook.
Aldridge is the third player to be promoted to the West's starting lineup. Thompson and Harden will replace the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Clippers' Blake Griffin.
This marks Aldridge's fourth consecutive All-Star appearance. Over 47 games this season, he had averaged 23.6 points and 10.3 rebounds while leading Portland to the third-best record in the Western Conference (36-17).
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