Catching Devin Booker at the Suns, Chris Paul declared the NBA All-Star Reserve

Chris Paul # 3 of the Phoenix Suns talks to Devin Booker # 1 in the second half of the NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Phoenix Suns Arena on December 29, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

The Phoenix Suns will have an All-Star this season but there is a good case that they should have two. While Chris Paul’s point guard was named to the Western Conference All-Star Reserve Tuesday, shooting guard Devin Booker was not.

The Athletics Shams Charania first reported on the news.

For the second straight year, Booker was not named on the original list of All-Star repositories. He was a substitute for Damian Lillard at Portland last year and could fit into that position again with the Los Angeles Lakers injured forward Anthony Davis among the reserve.

His per-game numbers this season are down, but his efficiency is up. Booker gets an average of 24.7 points, 4.3 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game while firing a high of 50% off the field. It also hits 38% from a three-point range.

Booker is coming off strongly late for the 20-10 Suns, who have won 12 of their last 14 wins going into Tuesday. His monthly averages reflect his steady rise as the year has progressed, with him averaging 20.2 points in December, 24.3 in January and 26.8 points so far in February.

While coach votes for All-Star reserves were already in place before Phoenix defeated the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night, Booker’s 34-point upturn in 29 minutes showed his impact on the team as it travels to a second-straight 30-plus- point effect.

“There’s no doubt about it,” head coach Monty Williams said after the 132-100 win. “One cannot argue about Book’s not an All-Star. End of story. ”

Paul, in his 16th NBA season, earned his spot on the display record by ranking sixth in the league in fans per game (8.5), including 19 appearances. -assist against the Pelicans Friday night.

Paul, obtained from the Oklahoma City Thunder through this offseason trade, averages 16.6 points, 8.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 49% from the field and 40% from depth.

Paul has made 10 trips to the All-Star Game going into this season. He toured annually between 2008 and 2016 and reappeared last season with Oklahoma City.

Paul joins the roster of this year’s Western Conference All-Star with starting guards Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic, as well as court starters LeBron James, Nikola Jokic and Kawhi Leonard.

The NBA All-Star Game will be held at the Atlanta State Farm Arena on Sunday, March 7th.

Here are the sources reserved at the Western Conference reported by Charania:

Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers

Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz

Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns

Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans

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