Butler, Lowry, Gobert, CP3 headline All-Star reserves
The 2020 All-Star reserves have been determined, the NBA announced Thursday.
East All-Star reserves
| Player | Team | AS # |
|---|---|---|
| Bam Adebayo | Heat | 1 |
| Jimmy Butler | Heat | 5 |
| Kyle Lowry | Raptors | 6 |
| Khris Middleton | Bucks | 2 |
| Domantas Sabonis | Pacers | 1 |
| Ben Simmons | 76ers | 2 |
| Jayson Tatum | Celtics | 1 |
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler headlines this season's Eastern Conference reserves. The Marquette product has enjoyed a strong first season in Miami, averaging a team-high 20.2 points and 6.4 assists along with 6.9 rebounds for the 32-15 Heat. He'll be playing in his fifth career All-Star Game.
Butler's teammate, Bam Adebayo, and fellow big man Domantas Sabonis of the Indiana Pacers will both make their first career All-Star appearances as two of nine first-time honorees.
Kyle Lowry, meanwhile, will be appearing in his sixth consecutive All-Star Game, joining Toronto Raptors teammate Pascal Siakam in Chicago.
The Eastern Conference reserves join the previously named starters: Siakam, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, Boston Celtics guard Kemba Walker, and Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young.
West All-Star reserves
| Player | Team | AS # |
|---|---|---|
| Rudy Gobert | Jazz | 1 |
| Brandon Ingram | Pelicans | 1 |
| Nikola Jokic | Nuggets | 2 |
| Damian Lillard | Trail Blazers | 5 |
| Donovan Mitchell | Jazz | 1 |
| Chris Paul | Thunder | 10 |
| Russell Westbrook | Rockets | 9 |
For the West, Utah Jazz center and two-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert will make his first career All-Star appearance in his seventh pro season. The Frenchman has been Utah's defensive anchor once again throughout the 2019-20 campaign, averaging 15.7 points, a career-high 14.6 rebounds, and two blocks for the conference's fourth seed.
Gobert will be joined by Jazz teammate Donovan Mitchell - also a first-time All-Star. The 23-year-old guard is averaging a team-high 25 points per game in his third NBA season.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has been named to his second straight All-Star Game, while Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard will make his third consecutive appearance.
In perhaps the biggest roster surprise, Chris Paul is headed back to the All-Star Game for the first time since 2016. It will be his 10th appearance overall, undoubtedly in recognition of his role in pushing the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 29-20 (.592) record after many pundits expected the team to transition toward a rebuild.
The West's reserves join the conference's starters: Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, Houston Rockets guard James Harden, Lakers forward LeBron James, and Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard.