Kemba Walker to replace Kristaps Porzingis in 2018 NBA All-Star Game

Walker gets the All-Star nod under unfortunate circumstances.

The NBA announced that Charlotte Hornets point guard Kemba Walker will replace Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis on Team LeBron in the 2018 NBA All-Star Game. Porzingis tore the ACL in his left knee in a Feb. 7 matchup against the Bucks and will be out 10-12 months recovering. Walker, who wasn’t named to the All-Star Game despite numerous injuries to players on Team LeBron, is averaging 22.6 points, 5.8 assists and just over a steal per game.

The league has seen its fair share of All-Star injuries in recent weeks. First, it was DeMarcus Cousins, who was replaced by Paul George after tearing his Achilles in late January. Then it was John Wall, who needed a minor knee surgery and was replaced by Detroit’s Andre Drummond. Then LeBron’s own teammate, Kevin Love, broke his hand and had to be replaced by Goran Dragic after news hit that he would miss six-to-eight weeks recovering.

Finally, Porzingis’ torn ACL put a damper on an entire Knicks franchise building their future around the unicorn’s talents.

Walker is an All-Star again, though he likely didn’t expect it to happen by way of another man’s demise. Either way, the Hornets’ guard is as talented a player there is and is deserving of the nod.