Wizards guard John Wall and Bradley Beal will have to wait until the NBA announces reserves to find out if they’re All-Stars.
Wall and Beal were passed up Thursday when the league announced the starting units for each conference for Feb.18’s All-Star Game in Los Angeles. Fans, media and players decide the starters.
In the East, Celtics guard Kyrie Irving and Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan were selected as the starting pair in the backcourt. LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid were selected for the front court.
This year, the NBA’s All-Star Game will be played with a mix of two teams between the conferences. Captains for each game draft the players voted into the game.
James, earning his 12th All-Star appearance, was named a captain and the top vote getter in the East. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry was selected as the other captain.
Coaches determine the remaining reserve spots, and those selections will be revealed Jan. 23.
Wall is a four-time All-Star, first being selected in 2014. He’s considered on the bubble to be selected for this year’s game, given he has missed 11 games, primarily because of a knee injury. His stats, however, are up to par — with 19.6 points and 9.3 assists per game.
Beal, meanwhile, has never been an All-Star. He has made a strong case this year — averaging a career-high 23.7 points per game.
In the West, Curry, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins were voted as starters.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.