CLEVELAND — Donovan Mitchell, one of the good guys in the NBA, does not take being selected for the All-Star Game for granted. He is one of the guys who gets it.
However, Mitchell had to step out of this All-Star Game at the last minute due to a non-COVID illness. Here is his statement:
“It is a great honor and has always been a dream of mine to be selected as an NBA All-Star. Remorsefully, I will not be able to play in tonight’s All-Star Game due to an upper respiratory illness (non-COVID-related). The entire All-Star weekend is a celebration of the basketball community, the fans and the sport I am blessed to play. I’m focused on getting well and back out on the court. Thank you for all the get-well wishes. I can’t wait to see the game later today.”
Mitchell is a member of Team LeBron, and there is not time to put in a replacement.
Kevin Durant — the captain of Team Durant (although not playing because of his sprained knee) and a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team — also will miss the events tonight following the death of his grandmother. Kevin’s mother Wanda Durant made the announcement on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CaNvU-lLvOu/
Our thoughts are with Kevin, Wanda, and the entire Durant family.