NBA All-Star Game starters announced; Could Tatum start for the injured Durant?

As what should come as no shock to Celtics fans based on earlier All-Star Game voting returns, no Celtics were voted in to start this year's midseason game. LeBron James and Kevin Durant once again were the highest vote getters and will serve as captains. Durant for his part won't actually play in the game since he's injured.

That does open the door for Jayson Tatum to potentially start in Durant's place, but of course he'd have to make the team first. Due to the Celtics .500 record, it may be hard for both Tatum and Jaylen Brown to make the team. Tatum while on hot streak this week, for the season has shot very inefficiently, while Jaylen missed a lot of games this year.

It's not uncommon for teams with mediocre records to have two All-Stars added to the team, especially when you already have one extra spot, but just saying it's no given. The Celtics still have four more games til the reserves are announced, so if they can go on a bit of a tear this next week, that for sure will help.

I think at this point, Tatum is going to make it, while Jaylen is on the bubble. Here's hoping both make it, which will make the All Star Game more enjoyable, and let's be honest, both players are All-Star talents.

As what should come as no shock to Celtics fans based on earlier All-Star Game voting returns, no Celtics were voted in to start this year's midseason game. LeBron James and Kevin Durant once again were the highest vote getters and will serve as captains. Durant for his part won't actually play in the game since he's injured.

That does open the door for Jayson Tatum to potentially start in Durant's place, but of course he'd have to make the team first. Due to the Celtics .500 record, it may be hard for both Tatum and Jaylen Brown to make the team. Tatum while on hot streak this week, for the season has shot very inefficiently, while Jaylen missed a lot of games this year.

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Celtics and Hawks reportedly discussed Marcus Smart trade https://t.co/XfXxTV1BIa

— TEAMBOSTON (@teamboston) January 28, 2022 It's not uncommon for teams with mediocre records to have two All-Stars added to the team, especially when you already have one extra spot, but just saying it's no given. The Celtics still have four more games til the reserves are announced, so if they can go on a bit of a tear this next week, that for sure will help.

I think at this point, Tatum is going to make it, while Jaylen is on the bubble. Here's hoping both make it, which will make the All Star Game more enjoyable, and let's be honest, both players are All-Star talents.

The Eastern Conference's starting 5 will be Joel Embiid, Giannis Giannis Antetokounmpo, DeMar Derozan, Trae Young, and Kevin Durant (who will have a injury replacement).

The Western Conference's starting 5 will feature Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, Andrew Wiggins, Steph Curry, and Ja Morant.

All-Star reserves will be announced on February 3rd with injury replacements announced soon after that. The NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, February 20th in Cleveland. And yes, I agree it's been way too long since Boston got to host this game. I've written about this a few times at least on this website over the past 12 plus years.