Cavs' center Jarrett Allen named All-Star replacement for Harden

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Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen will replace James Harden at this year's All-Star Game.

Allen, who has been having a strong second season with Cleveland, was chosen to take the place of the injured Harden by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Monday.

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Allen will join teammate Darius Garland for this year's event in Cleveland, giving the Cavs two All-Stars for the first time since 2018.

Harden is dealing with a left hamstring issue that is delaying his debut with the Philadelphia 76ers. Harden, who was chosen by coaches as an All-Star reserve, was traded last week by the Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster deal for Ben Simmons.

This is the first All-Star selection for Allen. He's helped the surprising Cavs to a 35-22 record after winning just 22 games last season. Allen is averaging 16.2 points, a career-high 11.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots in 49 games. The 23-year-old is also second in the league in field-goal percentage (66.5%).

Cleveland Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen (31) dunks against the Indiana Pacers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb 6, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Shortly after learning Harden would miss the game, the Cavs began re-campaigning for Allen, who was passed over last week when Silver named Charlotte's LaMelo Ball as Kevin Durant's replacement.

"He should have been named an All-Star reserve from the jump," said teammate Kevin Love, a five-time All-Star said of Allen. "I told him, that doesn’t really matter how you get there. He’s been so consistent for us.

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