Thunder's George to replace injured Boogie in All-Star Game

RussellWestbrook is getting his wish, albeit belatedly.

Four days after decrying the fact his Oklahoma City Thunder teammate PaulGeorge was not deemed worthy as a selection to the NBA All-Star Game, George was added as an injury replacement by the league by Commissioner AdamSilver.

George will replace New Orleans Pelican DeMarcusCousins, who suffered a torn left Achilles' tendon in a win against visiting Houston on Friday night, on Team LeBron, the NBA announced Saturday.

"Obviously, I would have liked to make it under better circumstance, because of an injury I got in," George said after the Thunder's 121-108 win at Detroit on Saturday. "But needless to say, I'm happy for this to be my fifth and go alongside Russ (Westbrook) and, you know, be a part of this franchise to hold it down for the Thunder. I'm grateful for this opportunity."

George is averaging 21.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.17 steals in his first season with Oklahoma City after seven with the Pacers.

This will mark the third consecutive All-Star Game appearance for George, his fifth overall. George is an unrestricted free agent after this season.

When an All-Star is unable to participate, Silver selects a replacement from the same conference as the player who is being replaced.

Cousins and George both represent the Western Conference. George received the most voting points from NBA head coaches among Western Conference players who were not selected as reserves.

The Team LeBron head coach, determined by the best record in the Eastern Conference through games of Sunday, Feb. 4, will select the player to replace Cousins in the starting lineup for Team LeBron.

Boston coach BradStevens is ineligible to coach Team LeBron because he coached in last year’s All-Star Game.