Phoenix Suns' Chris Paul, Devin Booker named All-Star reserves; Darius Garland, Fred VanVleet to make first appearance

Chris Paul and Devin Booker, the starting backcourt for the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns, headlined the NBA's announcement of the 14 reserves for the NBA's All-Star Game in Cleveland later this month.

Paul, who is averaging 14.9 points and 10.4 assists, is making his 12th All-Star appearance, while Booker, who is averaging 25.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists, made his third All-Star team. They were two of the seven selections from the Western Conference.

Luka Doncic is making his third straight All-Star appearance after averaging 26 points, 8.8 rebounds, 8.9 assists for the Dallas Mavericks. Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, who is averaging 16 points, 15.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, and teammate Donovan Mitchell, who is averaging 25 points, 4 rebounds and 5.2 assists, are both making their third straight All-Star appearance.

Minnesota Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns, who is averaging 24.4 points and 9.5 rebounds is yet another guy making his third All-Star appearance while Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, who is averaging 7.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game, is making his fourth appearance.

In the Eastern Conference, the selections were headlined by a pair of first-time selections: Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland, who is averaging 19.8 points and 8.2 assists and is Cleveland's first All-Star since LeBron James left in 2018, and Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet, who is averaging 21.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.0 assists — while also leading the NBA in minutes per game.

Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden is making his 10th straight All-Star appearance while averaging 22.5 points, 8 rebounds and 10.2 assists. Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler is now a six-time All-Star after