Chris Paul # 3 of the Phoenix Suns talks to Devin Booker # 1 during the second half of the NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns Arena on December 29, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns have an All-Star this season, but there is a good case they should have had two. While point guard Chris Paul was named to the Western Conference All-Star reserves on Tuesday, shooting guard Devin Booker was not.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania was the first to announce the news.
For the second year in a row, Booker was not named on the original All-Star Reserves list. He was an injury replacement for Portland’s Damian Lillard last year and could line up for that spot again with injured Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis among the reserves.
His grades per game have dropped this season, but his efficiency has increased. Booker averages 24.7 points, 4.3 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game while shooting a career-high 50% from the field. He also hits 38% from a three-point range.
Booker has been gaining weight lately for the 20-10 Suns, who have won 12 of their last 14 on their way to Tuesday. His monthly averages reflect his steady improvement as the year progressed as he averaged 20.2 points in December, 24.3 points in January and 26.8 points so far in February.
While the coaches’ votes for the All-Star reserves had to come before Phoenix beat the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night, Booker’s burst of 34 points in 29 minutes illustrated his impact on the team as it advanced to a second consecutive 30-plus drove. point victory.
“There’s no question about it,” said head coach Monty Williams after the 132-100 win. Nobody can argue about Book’s not an All-Star. End of story.”
Paul, in his 16th NBA season, took his spot on the practice roster by finishing sixth in the league in assists per game (8.5), including a 19-assist appearance against the Pelicans on Friday night.
Paul, who was acquired this off-season via the Oklahoma City Thunder trade-in, averages 16.6 points, 8.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 49% from the field and 40% from deep.
Paul has made 10 trips to the All-Star Game this season. He made an annual pilgrimage between 2008 and 2016 and reappeared at Oklahoma City last season.
Paul will be joined on this year’s Western Conference All-Star squad by starting guards Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic, plus starting frontcourt players LeBron James, Nikola Jokic and Kawhi Leonard.
The NBA All-Star Game will be held at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Sunday, March 7.
Here are the Western Conference reserves reported by Charania:
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
Paul George, Clippers in Los Angeles
Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz
Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns
Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans