All-Stars and Rising Stars from around the league made their way to New Orleans on Thursday and Friday, taking their photos and going through the usual All-Star media session. By Friday night, however, two players had yet to arrive in New Orleans.
In a press release on NBA.com, the league reported on the absences of both Cleveland Cavaliers’ star LeBron James as well as New York Knicks’ star Carmelo Anthony.
James, who will be playing in his 13th All-Star game, had a family mater to deal with, but NBA.com added that he would be in New Orleans for the All-Star practice on Saturday afternoon.
Anthony, who publicly stated he wouldn’t mind not being an All-Star during Wednesday morning’s Knicks’ shootaround, was notified that same night that he would be making the All-Star team. Anthony was named Kevin Love’s replacement following the arthroscopic knee surgery that will sideline the Cavs’ forward for about six weeks. Anthony reportedly had plans with his family once he found out he would not be an All-Star last month, but Love’s injury forced NBA commissioner Adam Silver to pick the next player from the coaches’ ballots, which happened to be Anthony.
The All-Star game is this Sunday starting at 8PM EST on TNT, which will feature both James and Kyrie Irving. Don’t miss the JBL Three-Point Contest, which Irving will also be participating in, tomorrow night as part of the 2017 State Farm All-Star Saturday Night.