Dirk Nowitzki replaces Anthony Davis on West All-Star team
Dirk Nowitzki has been named Anthony Davis' injury replacement on the Western Conference All-Star team, the NBA announced late Wednesday night.
Nowitzki will play in his 13th All-Star game.
Dirk woulda loved week off, but as Carlisle said: "This is one of the responsibilities that comes with greatness, and he understands that."
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 12, 2015
The decision was made by Commissioner Adam Silver, while a replacement for Davis in the starting lineup for the West team will be selected by head coach Steve Kerr.
Davis ruled himself out of Sunday's Madison Square Garden exhibition earlier on Wednesday, as the MVP candidate has been sidelined by a shoulder sprain.
Nowitzki is averaging 18.3 points, six rebounds and two steals on an Effective Field Goal Percentage of 51. for the 36-19 Dallas Mavericks, who sit fifth-place in the Western Conference.
The future Hall-of-Famer is always in the All-Star discussion, but the Memphis Grizzlies' duo of Zach Randolph and Mike Conley, not to mention Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, have a legitimate gripe.
Nowitzki's teammate, Tyson Chandler, may have been in the running as well if not for a sprained ankle.