NBA coaches have overlooked Josh Giddey's fine form for Chicago to deny the Australian an All-Star debut as LeBron James prepares to lace them up for a 22nd-straight year.
Boomers and Bulls guard Giddey began the season brilliantly to put himself in the conversation, averaging 18.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game on 46 per cent shooting.
But a lingering hamstring injury proved a decisive blow to the 23-year-old's hopes and he wasn't among the reserves named on Monday (AEST) for the new US v The World concept, to be played in Los Angeles on February 15.
Giddey has missed the last three Bulls games since reporting hamstring tightness after initially returning from injury.
To join Ben Simmons as Australia's only All-Star picks he'd need to prove his fitness and then be called up by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as an injury replacement.
Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) was named as a starter last week but remains in doubt.
James wasn't among those names called last week after votes from fans, media and other players were tallied but coaches ensured the Lakers star was on the team list for a 22nd-straight season.
“You think about a star player, their prime is their All-NBA, All-Star years,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said.
“He’s basically had a 20-plus-year prime. It’s kind of unheard of. It is unheard of, uncharted, whatever you want to call it. I mean, it’s incredible."
Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden both missed out but Brooklyn sharpshooter Michael Porter Jnr was arguably the most eye-catching omission, averaging 25.6 points and shooting 39.8 per cent from deep this season.
This season's All-Star Game has a tournament format, with three teams of at least eight players going head to head in 12-minute games.
Each team is guaranteed two games in the round-robin event, with the best two meeting again in a championship game.
It's expected the two US rosters will be assigned later this week.
NBA ALL-STARS SQUAD
STARTERS: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Maxey, Jalen Brunson, Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama.
RESERVES: Donovan Mitchell, Karl-Anthony Towns, Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Duren, Norman Powell, Jalen Johnson, LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, Jamal Murray, Chet Holmgren, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Deni Avdija.
With AP
