The Brooklyn Nets announced Friday forward Kevin Durant will be out through the All-Star break with the hamstring strain that has caused him to miss the last six games.
Durant's absence opens up a spot in the Eastern Conference frontcourt for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game. That spot is expected to be filled by Indiana Pacers big man Domantas Sabonis, per ESPN NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski.
Pacers star Domantas Sabonis is expected to replace Kevin Durant on the Eastern Conference All-Star team, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 26, 2021
Sabonis narrowly missed out on being named an All-Star reserve, but he will be heading to Atlanta to partake in the festivities as a result of Kevin Durant's health.
One of the incentives in Sabonis' deal with the Pacers is being an All-Star. Sabonis being named netted him $1.3 million, per Pacers reporter Scott Agness.
This will mark the second consecutive appearance All-Star 24-year-old, who is having a tremendous season. Sabonis is averaging a career-high 21.5 points on 52.9 percent shooting from the field. He has expanded his scoring potential to the perimeter, shooting nearly 35 percent from beyond the arc on 2.8 attempts per game.
But Sabonis' true value comes in his playmaking. He can break opposing defenders down off the dribble and set up his teammates for easy buckets. Sabonis is averaging 5.7 assists per game, a testament to his total skill set as one of the best young bigs in basketball. The former Gonzaga standout also dominates on the glass, averaging 11.7 rebounds and 2.8 offensive boards per game.
Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young certainly had a strong case to be Durant's replacement. Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo might have had an even better case, given he is averaging 19.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.5 assists while leading both Sabonis and Young in win shares.
Ultimately, however, it is hard to deny the impact Sabonis has had on a Pacer team currently seeded fourth in the Eastern Conference.
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