NBA All-Star Game 2020: Devin Booker to replace Damian Lillard in All-Star Game and 3-Point Contest

Scott Rafferty

NBA All-Star Game 2020: Devin Booker to replace Damian Lillard in All-Star Game and 3-Point Contest image

The NBA announced on Friday that Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker will replace Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard in the 2020 NBA All-Star Game.

Booker will also replace Lillard in the 3-Point Contest, the league announced.

Booker is averaging 26.4 points, 6.3 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game on 49.6 percent shooting from the field and 35.8 percent from 3-point range this season.

The Suns have a losing record at 22-33, but they've been a completely different team with Booker in the lineup. According to NBA.com, they go from averaging 113.6 points per 100 possessions with him on the court to 98.6 with him on the bench.

Booker will replace Lillard as a reserve on Team LeBron.

MORE: The Ultimate NBA All-Star Guide

Lillard suffered a right groin strain in the fourth quarter of Portland's 111-104 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday. Blazers head coach Terry Stotts told reporters post-game that Lillard will undergo an MRI in the coming days.

Lillard had been enjoying one of the best offensive stretches of his career, averaging 37.9 points and 9.2 assists through his past 12 games.

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Scott Rafferty

Scott Rafferty Photo

 

Scott Rafferty is an experienced NBA journalist who first started writing for The Sporting News in 2017. There are few things he appreciates more than a Nikola Jokic no-look pass, Klay Thompson heat check or Giannis Antetokounmpo eurostep. He's a member of the NBA Global team.