While an injured left hamstring will keep Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant from playing in the All-Star Game on March 7, it won’t prevent him from performing his main duty as captain: drafting a team.
The All-Star Draft, scheduled for Thursday and airing on TNT, will feature Durant and West captain LeBron James each drafting a squad from the pool of eligible players.
Related: NBA MVP Race 2022-23 – Luka Doncic seen as early favorite
There was no word on whether Durant will travel to Atlanta for the All-Star Game itself.
The Nets reached the decision to keep Durant on the sidelines through the All-Star break after he underwent a follow-up MRI exam on the hamstring this week. The league announced Friday that Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics will start in Durant’s place.
Related: 50 Top NBA players of 2022 – Stephen Curry leads the charge after brilliant season
Durant has missed the past seven games and will sit out the next two prior to the break, which begins on Friday.
Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis was named to replace Durant in the game.
The Nets begin play after the All-Star break on March 11 against the Boston Celtics.
Durant, 32, is averaging 29.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 19 games this season after missing all of 2019-20 due to recovery from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals.
–Field Level Media