Clippers star Kawhi Leonard will participate in the upcoming All-Star Game after NBA commissioner Adam Silver on Tuesday added him as a member of the U.S player pool, two days after he was overlooked as a reserve pick.
After the selection of the initial 24 All-Stars, Leonard was added to bring the total number of U.S. All-Stars to 16, the minimum required under the new format that features the U.S. vs. the World in a three-team mini-tournament (there will be two U.S. teams).
This will be Leonard’s seventh All-Star appearance (2024, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016) and his fourth as a Clipper. He is just one of three players in franchise history to earn four All-Star selections.
Leonard, 34, appeared to be a clear choice as a reserve after averaging 30.2 points while shooting 50.4% from the field and 41.7% from 3-point range during a current stretch when he has led the Clippers (23-26) to a 17-5 record, the highest winning percentage in the league.
For the season, he is averaging a career-high 27.6 points along with 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.1 steals and 32.9 minutes in 36 games. The two-time NBA Finals MVP ranks seventh in the league in points per game and first in steals.
Leonard has scored 20 points or more in a career-high 28 consecutive games, the second-longest active streak in the NBA.
But still his name was initially left off, leaving the Clippers without a participant in the midseason event that will be held Feb.15 at their home arena, the 18-month old Intuit Dome.
On Monday night, Leonard said he didn’t expect to earn the nod so many others believed he deserved.
“I was a guy that had to work my way into those conversations. It is what it is. I’m going to enjoy my time (off),” he said.
Leonard, though, said he would have liked to have been chosen by the league’s coaches for the reserve squad.
“Yeah, of course. Every player does … but they all deserve it,” Leonard said. “They all put in the hard work and are putting up great numbers. Congratulations to everybody.”
The rosters for the three teams were revealed Tuesday:
USA STARS
Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Chet Holmgren, OKC Thunder
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
USA STRIPES
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors
Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
LeBron James, Lakers
Kawhi Leonard, Clippers
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Norman Powell, Miami Heat
WORLD TEAM
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
Luka Doncic, Lakers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
Pascal Siakam. Indiana Pacers
Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs