Toronto Raptors player Pascal Siakam, who was originally passed over for the NBA All-Star Game, will eventually attend the event due to an injury.
Stars Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and Zion Williamson retired from the annual classic, leaving Siakam, Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves) and De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings) to join Friday’s roster.
For the 28-year-old Cameroonian, who was there in 2020, it will be his second appearance at the All-Star Game. The power winger is the Raptors’ leading player this season with an average per game of 25.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists.
Last week head coach Nick Nurse said he was disappointed at his protégé’s non-selection.
“I feel like Pascal is having a season worthy of the All-Star Game. […] This year we are not where we want to be in the standings and I believe that [l’omission de Siakam] is a direct result,” he said at a press conference on Jan. 4.
The Raptors, authors of three straight wins, will take on the Utah Jazz Friday night.