LOS ANGELES – LeBron James will reunite with US Olympic teammates Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry in a potent National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star Game line-up announced on Feb 3.
A new-look All-Star Game will feature three teams – two made up of American players, and one from international players. The teams will play a round-robin mini-tournament before the top two sides face off in the final.
Los Angeles Lakers star James, Golden State Warriors stalwart Curry and Houston Rockets' Durant – three pillars of the gold medal-winning team at the 2024 Olympics – will be joined by the Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks and LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard.
The Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell and Norman Powell of the Miami Heat complete the line-up, known as the USA Stripes.
The other squad – USA Stars – feature Detroit Pistons' Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards and Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The roster also includes Phoenix Suns ace Devin Booker, Philadelphia 76ers' Tyrese Maxey, Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks' Jalen Johnson.
The World team will have reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai G ilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City), Luka Doncic (Lakers), Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs), Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers), Karl-Anthony Towns (New York) and Deni Avdija (Portland Trail Blazers).
The All-Star Game takes place in Los Angeles on Feb 15.
In NBA regular-season action on Feb 3, James collected 25 points and seven assists as the Lakers seized control early in the finale of an eight-game road trip and cruised to a 125-109 victory over hosts Brooklyn Nets. He made 10 of 16 shots, including a pair of thunderous dunks in the first half. He added three rebounds and had three of the Lakers' 14 steals.
During his final minutes on the floor, some fans were chanting "We Want Bronny" in hopes of seeing his son, Bronny James, enter the game. The younger James played the final four minutes and 36 seconds and earned loud cheers from the mostly pro-Lakers crowd for a pair of baskets.
Doncic added 24 points on eight-of-18 shooting and sat out the fourth quarter after playing 29 minutes. He also handed out five assists and grabbed six rebounds.
Austin Reaves chipped in 15 points in his return after missing 19 straight games with a sprained left calf.
"We've missed him in every facet," said Lakers coach J.J. Redick on ESPN. "Both as an on-ball player, off-ball player, a connector, leadership on the court, competitive spirit – competitive spirit, defensively."
On his team's performance, he added: "This has been a lot of travel, a lot of back and forth (the Lakers went 5-3 on their road trip).
"We have weathered it, we have got to keep the foot on the gas going into the All-Star break."
Elsewhere, Isaiah Hartenstein had his first career triple-double and Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 points as the Thunder blew out the Orlando Magic 128-92.
Hartenstein had 12 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks powered past the Chicago Bulls with a 131-115 home win. Kyle Kuzma shone with 31 points and 10 rebounds for the Bucks, who continue to miss Antetokounmpo through a calf injury.
Cunningham had 29 points and 10 assists as hosts Pistons held off the Nuggets 124-121.
Mikal Bridges scored 23 points and Brunson added 21, fuelling the Knicks to their season-best seventh straight win, a 132-101 romp over the Washington Wizards.
Brown posted 33 points and 11 rebounds as the Celtics extended their winning streak to three with a 110-100 vict ory over the Dallas Mavericks. AFP, REUTERS
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