Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were named Western Conference reserves for the 2024 NBA All-Star Games, the league announced Thursday.
Leonard, the 2020 All-Star Game MVP, who will be making his sixth appearance, and George, a nine-time All-Star, were chosen from among a crowded group of talented frontcourt players in the West. The 73rd All-Star Game will be played Feb. 18 in Indianapolis.
Both Leonard and George, who are healthy, have been crucial to the Clippers’ turnaround this season. Leonard, 32, is shooting a career-best 52.6% from the floor to go with 43.9% from 3-point range and 88.4% from the free-throw line. He is averaging 23.9 points and 1.7 steals, third-best in the league.
In the past 25 games, Leonard has shot 57% from the field, 50% from beyond the 3-point line and 90% from the foul line, crucial to the Clippers’ turnaround from a 3-7 start to the 31-15 record they had through Thursday.
George, 33, is averaging 23.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists this season, having played in 43 of the team’s 46 games. The versatile wing is making 41.2% of his shots from 3-point range (matching his career-best) and a career-high 90.9% of his free throws.
An argument might have been made for James Harden to earn his 11th All-Star nod, having appeared in every midseason game from 2013-22. The point guard is averaging 17.5 points and 8.5 assists, the fifth-best mark in the NBA this season.
Last year, he led the league in assists (10.7) but didn’t make the 2023 All-Star team.
“If it happens, it happens,” Harden told reporters after Wednesday’s victory at Washington.
The other Western Conference reserves are Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry (10th selection), Lakers center Anthony Davis (ninth selection), Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker and Minnesota Timberwolves teammates Anthony Edwards and Karl Anthony Towns.
The Eastern Conference reserves are the Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown, Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, New York Knicks teammates Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo and Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero.
The All-Star reserves are selected by the league’s head coaches. The coaches vote for two guards, three frontcourt players and two players at any position in their respective conferences. NBA commissioner Adam Silver will choose injury replacements, with Randle almost certainly out with a dislocated shoulder.
The starters were announced last week. The West starters are the Lakers’ LeBron James, Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Kevin Durant of Phoenix in the frontcourt, along with guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City and Luka Doncic of Dallas.
The East starters are Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, Philadelphia center Joel Embiid, Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Indiana guard Tyrese Haliburton.
