Who is replacing Zion Williamson at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game as a starter?
Zion Williamson will not appear in the 2023 NBA All-Star game as he is dealing with a hamstring injury. He suffered a setback in his rehab process and will reportedly miss a few more weeks. He hasn't played a game since January 3rd and the New Orleans Pelicans have dropped drastically in the standings.
Williamson was playing at a high level before he got hurt. He averaged 30 points per game on 62% shooting in his last 10 outings. However, if he is consistently getting hurt, the Pelicans can only go so far.
Pelicans All-Star Zion Williamson – sidelined since Jan. 2 with hamstring strain – re-aggravated the injury and is expected to miss additional weeks after All-Star break, David Griffin says.
Regardless of Zion Williamson's level of play, many fans and analysts were upset at his starter status. He missed 30 of the possible 59 games before the All-Star break but was still named a starter. Many other frontcourt players deserved a starting spot over him, but Williamson's missed games weren't a factor.
Zion Williamson made his second career All-Star game this season. He was a starter in the 2021 All-Star game as well, tallying 10 points in 14 minutes. He will now be replaced by a Western frontcourt reserve player, Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz.
Lauri Markkanen replaces Zion Williamson as a starter in his first NBA All-Star game
Lauri Markkanen will be bumped up to the starting role in the 2023 NBA All-Star game to replace Zion Williamson. He has been playing lights out this season, averaging nearly 25 points and nine rebounds per game while shooting 51% from the field and 41% from downtown. Markkanen averaged 15.4 points per game in his first five seasons in the NBA, so fans were shocked to see him routinely drop 30 points this year.
He has 30 games with over 20 points this year and one 49-point outing against the Rockets. He is currently the runaway favorite for the Most Improved Player award.
Lauri Markkanen’s stats over the last month:
30.6 points
9.6 rebounds
67.7 TS%
50.4/42.3/92.1 shooting splits
In Utah, Markkanen is blossoming into a star. https://t.co/1cLW7ttP92
Lauri Markkanen has put the league on notice this year. He is the Utah Jazz's first All-Star game starter since Karl Malone in 1998. Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves has replaced him as a frontcourt reserve in the West.