Paul George replaces injured DeMarcus Cousins in NBA All-Star Game

Sam Cooper
·College football writer
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George (13) drives to the basket past Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George (13) drives to the basket past Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George will replace DeMarcus Cousins in the NBA All-Star Game.

Cousins, the star forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury Friday night against Houston. As a result, NBA commissioner Adam Silver chose George as Cousins’ replacement. George received the most voting points from NBA head coaches among Western Conference players not selected to the game.

Cousins, who is averaging 25.4 points, 12.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game, was voted as an All-Star starter and chosen to join the team captained by LeBron James. But because of the injury, George will take Cousins’ spot on Team LeBron for the game Sunday, Feb. 18 in Los Angeles. Team LeBron will face a team captained by Stephen Curry.

Per the NBA, the head coach of Team LeBron will select Cousins’ replacement in the starting lineup.

George, in his first season with the Thunder, is averaging 21.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.17 steals on the season. He is also shooting a career high 41.7 percent from three-point range for the Thunder, who improved to 29-20 with a win over Detroit on Saturday, The win was the team’s seventh straight.

George will join his Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook on Team LeBron. This will be George’s fifth all-star appearance.

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Sam Cooper is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!