With Kobe Bryant ailing, Lakers to be absent from All-Star game

By Eric Pincus

Professional Basketball Los Angeles Lakers Sports Basketball Kobe Bryant Ryan Kelly Indiana Pacers

The Lakers will be represented at the NBA All-Star game, but not on the court.

Kobe Bryant was recently voted in by the fans as a starter but a knee injury will force him to sit out on Feb. 16.

No other Lakers were named to the Western Conference squad, including four-time All-Star Pau Gasol.

Instead, the Western Conference will be represented by Chris Paul (Clippers), Dwight Howard and James Harden (both with the Houston Rockets), LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers), Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs) and Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks).

The commissioner (Adam Silver, once he takes over for David Stern in February) will pick Bryant's replacement, perhaps selecting the Pelicans' Anthony Davis -- a worthy selection that would appeal to the event's home crowd in New Orleans.

The Clippers will be represented by two All-Stars, with Blake Griffin also voted in by fans. Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves), Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) round out the West.

The Eastern Conference reserves were also named Thursday with Paul Millsap (Atlanta Hawks), Joe Johnson (Brooklyn Nets), Joakim Noah (Chicago Bulls), Roy Hibbert (Indiana Pacers), John Wall (Washington Wizards), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors) and Chris Bosh (Miami Heat) all honored.

The East starters include LeBron James and Dwyane Wade (both with the Heat), Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks), Paul George (Pacers) and Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers).

Lakers rookie forward Ryan Kelly was also overlooked for the Feb. 14 Rising Stars Challenge, which features the league's top first- and second-year players.

Since joining the Lakers' starting lineup (six games), Kelly is averaging 11.2 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 48.8% from the field and 37.5% from three-point range.

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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.