Trae Young Joins NBA All-Star Game as Injury Replacement

San Francisco, CA – Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young has been added to the NBA All-Star roster as an injury replacement for Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who will miss the game due to a calf injury. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced Young’s selection on Monday, just days before the All-Star Game on February 16.

Initially omitted from the All-Star roster this year, Young expressed his disappointment on social media, coining the term ‘Traed’ to describe his feelings about being snubbed. “It’s no longer getting ‘snubbed’; it’s getting ‘Traed’ at this point,” he wrote. This will mark Young’s fourth All-Star appearance, following selections in 2020, 2022, and 2024.

Young, who leads the NBA with an average of 11.4 assists per game, will play for Team Chuck, the squad drafted by TNT analyst Charles Barkley. Antetokounmpo, who was one of the first players selected, was sidelined after sustaining a calf strain, which is expected to keep him out for two to three weeks.

This year’s All-Star Game will be different, featuring a four-team tournament format instead of the traditional single-game matchup. Young will join international stars like Nikola Jokić, Victor Wembanyama, and Karl Anthony-Towns on Team Chuck.

Young’s offensive skills, highlighted by his ability to shoot from long range and make dynamic assists, provide a different style of play compared to the injured Antetokounmpo, who is known for his scoring in the paint. Young is averaging 23.5 points and 11.4 assists per game with shooting percentages of 40.9% from the field and 34% from three-point range this season.

In addition to Antetokounmpo, it was reported that newly acquired Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis will also miss the All-Star Game due to a left adductor strain. Davis was injured during his first game with the Mavericks after being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers. His expected absence may lead to another injury replacement announcement from Silver leading up to the game.

The All-Star Game will take place at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sunday, February 16, starting at 8 p.m. ET. Fans can anticipate a thrilling format change and a showcase of top NBA talents in a fast-paced tournament atmosphere.