The Boston Celtics’ two All-Stars — point guard Kemba Walker and forward Jayson Tatum — will be facing off against each other when Team Giannis and Team LeBron play against each other for the All-Star Game on February 16.
On Thursday night, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James — the leading vote-getters from each conference — made their draft selections as captains of their respective teams.
Picking their teammates from a pool of 22 All-Stars, Antetokounmpo would select Walker, along with Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid and Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam as his starters with Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, Jazz shooting guard Donovan Mitchell, New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, Heat center Bam Adebayo, Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry and Bucks wing Khris Middleton coming off of the bench.
James selected Los Angeles Lakers teammate Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Clippers wing Kawhi Leonard, Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden and Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic to join him in the starting lineup. Tatum, Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard, Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Chris Paul, Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis and Rockets point guard Russell Westbrook will come off of the bench.
After averaging 21.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game this season, this is Tatum’s first All-Star selection, though he’s previously been a participant in All-Star Weekend — in both the Rising Stars game and the Skills Challenge, the latter of which he’ll also participate in this year. Walker will be an All-Star selection for the fourth consecutive time, averaging 22.0 points, 5.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 steal per game.
Next Sunday, at 8 P.M. EST, Boston fans should be sure to tune in to TNT to see the Celtics’ two most exceptional players.