Nets’ Russell named as all-star reserve replacement for Oladipo

Brooklyn Nets guard D'Angelo Russell (1) drives past Memphis Grizzlies guard Garrett Temple (17) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 4, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (Brandon Dill/AP)

D’Angelo Russell will be heading to All-Star Weekend.

The league announced Friday that the Brooklyn Nets star will be replacing the injured Victor Oladipo as an Eastern Conference all-star reserve. The replacement is a like-for-like as Oladipo and Russell are both backcourt players.

“According to NBA rules, when a player selected to the All-Star Game is unable to participate, the Commissioner shall choose a replacement from the same conference as the player who is being replaced,” the league announced in a press release.

In 52 games for the surprisingly successful Nets, Russell has been outstanding. The fourth-year pro is averaging career-bests of 19.6 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 37 per cent from beyond the arc in his second season with Brooklyn.

The league announced earlier in the day that Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki and Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade would also be “special additions” to All-Star Weekend.

The NBA All-Star Draft will take place on Feb. 7, with captains LeBron James and Giannis Antentokoumpo choosing teams.

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