Detroit Pistons' Andre Drummond to replace Washington Wizards' John Wall in 2018 NBA All-Star Game
NEW YORK — Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond has been named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace injured Washington Wizards guard John Wall on Team LeBron in the 2018 NBA All-Star Game, which will be played on Sunday, Feb. 18 at Staples Center in Los Angeles (8 p.m. ET).
Drummond earned his second All-Star selection, having previously represented the Pistons in the 2016 NBA All-Star Game. The 6-11 Drummond is averaging an NBA-leading and career-high 15.1 rebounds per game to go with 14.7 points, a career-high 3.8 assists, a career-high 1.54 steals and 1.37 blocked shots. He already has more assists this season (176) than in his previous two seasons combined (157). The six-year veteran has recorded an Eastern Conference-high 33 double-doubles in 46 games.
Wall, an All-Star for the fifth consecutive year, will miss the NBA All-Star Game because of a left knee injury. He was selected by NBA head coaches as an All-Star reserve and drafted to Team LeBron by captain LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
According to NBA rules, when an All-Star is unable to participate, the commissioner shall choose a replacement from the same conference as the player who is being replaced. Wall and Drummond both play for Eastern Conference teams. Drummond received the most voting points from NBA head coaches among Eastern Conference players who were not selected as reserves.
The 67th NBA All-Star Game will air on TNT and ESPN Radio. Featuring a new format in which team rosters were drafted by James and the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry, the All-Star Game will reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages.
