New Orleans Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis (23) shoots against Atlanta Hawks power forward Paul Millsap (4) and power forward Elton Brand (42) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014. The Pelicans won 105-100. AP
NEW YORK – New Orleans forward Anthony Davis was chosen Friday to replace the injured Kobe Bryant in the NBA All-Star game that will be played in his home city.
Davis was nearly chosen as a reserve, but missed by one spot in voting by Western Conference head coaches, a person with knowledge of the details told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because vote totals were not released.
The 2012 U.S. Olympian ended up getting into the Feb. 16 game at Smoothie King Center when NBA Commissioner Adam Silver chose him to replace Bryant, who was voted by fans to start but is still recovering from a broken knee.
Davis is averaging 20.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and a league-leading 3.3 blocks for the Pelicans. Davis, the No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft, is also scheduled to play in the Rising Stars Challenge for rookies and second-year players next Friday.
Western Conference coach Scott Brooks of Oklahoma City will decide who replaces Bryant in the starting lineup.