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Mike Conley replaces Devin Booker to make NBA All-Star debut
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Mike Conley of the Utah Jazz looks on in the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S., January 21, 2021. /CFP

Mike Conley of the Utah Jazz looks on in the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S., January 21, 2021. /CFP

Mike Conley of the Utah Jazz will finally make his NBA All-Star debut after playing for 13 years in the league. He will replace Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns, announced the NBA on Friday.

Booker had to quit both the All-Star Game and the 3-point contest because of a left knee sprain. He bumped knees with Kent Bazemore of the Golden State Warriors in the game on Thursday before falling on the ground with a truly scowling facial expression.

This is Conley's 14th season and no one has ever waited that long to be named an All-Star in league history. The 33-year-old averaged 16.1 points and 5.7 assists and could bury 2.8 triples at a 3-point rate of 42.2 percent per game. He is one of the reasons that the Jazz are leading the league with a 27-9 record.

Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz shoots in the game agaisnt the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., March 3, 2021. /CFP

Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz shoots in the game agaisnt the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., March 3, 2021. /CFP

The NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made the decision to add Conley to the All-Star rosters. He will join his teammates Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell in Team Kevin to play against Team LeBron at State Farm Arena on March 7.

Since the Brooklyn Nets also have three players – Kevin Durant (won't play), James Harden and Kyrie Irving – named for the All-Star, it's the first time in 31 years the two teams have three All-Star players each. Back in 1990, Magic Johnson, James Worthy and A.C. Green of the Los Angeles Lakers and Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish of the Boston Celtics all made the All-Star squads.

Donovan Mitchell #45, Mike Conley #10 and Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz hi-five each other in the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Vivint Arena, November 12, 2019. /CFP

Donovan Mitchell #45, Mike Conley #10 and Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz hi-five each other in the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Vivint Arena, November 12, 2019. /CFP

"Lol, What just happened," posted Conley on Twitter reacting to the news.

His Jazz teammates also expressed their excitement for Conley.

"I SEE YOU," wrote Mitchell retweeting Conley's post.

"Lets gooooooooo !!" posted Gobert.

"Well deserved and earned," Royce O'Neale said.

Conley's former teammates and opponents Tony Allen, Jamal Crawford, and Patrick Beverley also congratulated him on this honor. 

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