Atllanta Hawks

Hawks star Trae Young joins All-Star team after other players get injured

New Orleans Pelicans v Atlanta Hawks COLLEGE PARK, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 14: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on during the preseason game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Gateway Center Arena on October 14, 2023 in College Park, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images) (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

ATLANTA — Atlanta’s Trae Young is going back to the All-Star Game after all, and Toronto’s Scottie Barnes will play in the NBA’s showcase event for the first time.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver picked Young and Barnes as injury replacements on Tuesday, adding them to the Eastern Conference roster for the Feb. 18 game in Indianapolis. Young — who was second in fan voting that played a role in determining the All-Star starters — is now an All-Star for the third time and Barnes is making his debut in the game.

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They replaced Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid and New York’s Julius Randle, both of whom are unable to play because of injury. Embiid had knee surgery on Tuesday and Randle is dealing with a dislocated shoulder.

By NBA rule, the commissioner chooses replacements should an All-Star not be able to play because of injury.

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Young entered Tuesday eighth in the NBA in scoring at 27.3 points per game and second in assists at a career-best 10.9 per game. Barnes, the NBA’s rookie of the year in 2022, is averaging career-highs of 20.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals per game.

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