Young, Irving get All-Star Game call-up

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) — Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young and the Dallas Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving have been drafted into this week’s National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star Game to replace the injured Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis, the league said Monday.

Young will join Charles Barkley’s “Team Chuck” on All-Star weekend, earning his fourth All-Star call-up after a season in which he has averaged 23.5 points and 11.4 assists per game.

Antetokounmpo was ruled out of the All-Star Game on Sunday after failing to recover from a left calf strain.

Dallas ace Irving, meanwhile, will make his ninth All-Star appearance as he replaces new teammate Anthony Davis, who hobbled out of his Mavericks debut on Saturday after a dazzling start which included 26 points and 16 rebounds.

Irving, who is averaging 24.1 points per game this season, will lineup on “Team Shaq,” managed by Shaquille O’Neal.

The All-Star game takes place at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sunday, with four teams playing in a three-game mini-tournament.