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When preparation meets opportunity: Presenting the NBA All-Star reserves

Published January 31, 2025, 7:36 PMPao Ambat
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<span style="font-size: 15.2px;">Victor Wembanyama becomes only the fourth Spurs player to make the All-Star Game in his first or second season</span>

The Cleveland Cavaliers (3), LA Lakers (2), Oklahoma City Thunder (2), Boston Celtics (2), Milwaukee Bucks (2) and New York Knicks (2) are the teams that have multiple All-Star selections this year. | Photo: NBA

The 2024-25 NBA All-Star list of players are now complete.

Victor Wembanyama spearheaded six first-time All-Stars who got selected as reserves by NBA coaches to complete the players’ pool for the revamped main event of the mid-season spectacle set next month in San Francisco, California. 

The seven reserve players per conference were selected by all the league coaches, with the caveat that they are not allowed to vote for players on their teams.

After meeting the 10 starters, let’s now dive into the last remaining names that earned their stripes to compete in the All-Star Game. 

[ALSO READ: Earned, Not Given: Meet the 10 NBA All-Star East, West starters pool]


East reserves 

  • Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics) | 2024-25 averages: 23.2 PPG, 6 RPG, and 4.8 APG 

For the fourth time in his career, Brown earned another All-Star stripe to join teammate Jayson Tatum in representing the defending champion Boston Celtics. 

The reigning NBA Finals MVP averaged an impressive 31 points in his last three appearances in the event. 

  • Damian Lillard (Milwaukee Bucks) | 2024-25 averages: 25.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG and 6.3 APG 

Lillard joined teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo as the Bucks’ representatives in the mid-season spectacle, getting his second straight selection with the squad. 

Overall, the 34-year-old star earned a ninth career All-Star nod for the 26-19 Milwaukee team who won the NBA Cup last month. 

  • Tyler Herro (Miami Heat) | 2024-25 averages: 24.1 PPG, 6 RPG and 5.4 APG  

Herro is finally making his All-Star Game debut after six seasons with the Heat.

He emerged as the Heat’s best player this season amid the Jimmy Butler trade drama, evolving as a dynamic scorer and improved playmaking skills. 

  • Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons) | 2024-25 averages: 25 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 9.3 APG 

The former No. 1 overall pick has finally lived up to the hype in his fourth season, turning into one of the most improved players in the league for perhaps the most surprising team this season in the Detroit Pistons. 

Like Herro, Cunningham will make his first All-Star appearance and became the first Piston to appear in the mid-season spectacle since Blake Griffin in 2019. 

  • Darius Garland (Cleveland Cavaliers) | 2024-25 averages: 21.7 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 6.8 APG 

For the second time in his career, Garland is appearing in the All-Star Game to join backcourt mate Donovan Mitchell. 

Behind his speed, shooting, and playmaking, the scoring guard is the second of three players from Cleveland who will travel to the Bay Area.

  • Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers) | 2024-25 averages: 18.2 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.8 APG

Mobley completed the trifecta of Cavaliers who will compete in the All-Star Game. 

Another first-timer, Mobley’s improvement in his fourth pro season as a valuable two-way force is a big reason why Cleveland has been the best team in the East all season. 

  • Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers) | 2024-25 averages: 20.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.5 APG 

The 2019 champion earned his first All-Star nod as a Pacer and third overall after helping the Eastern Conference finalists recover from a slow start to now occupying the fifth spot in the East at 26-20. 


West Reserves 

  • Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs) | 2024-25 averages: 24.4 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 3.7 APG, 3.9 BPG  

The reigning Rookie of the Year will be making his first-ever appearance at an All-Star game in only his second season in the league. 

  • Anthony Davis (LA Lakers) | 2024-25 averages: 25.7 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 3.4 APG 

The Lakers big man earned a 10th appearance in an All-Star game and is one of the veterans coming from the West. 

  • Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves) | 2024-25 averages: 26.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.4 APG  

For the third straight time, Edwards is an All-Star as the Timberwolves undisputed star emerged as the no. 1 option for Minnesota after Karl-Anthony Towns got traded in the offseason. 

  • Jalen Williams (OKC Thunder) | 2024-25 averages: 21.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 5.2 APG

Williams is among three players from the West who will be making their All-Star game debut.  

  • James Harden (LA Clippers) | 2024-25 averages: 21.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 8.4 APG

Harden earned an All-Star selection for the first time as a member of the Clippers and now amassed 11 nods overall in his career. 

  • Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies) | 2024-25 averages: 22.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.1 APG  

It was Jackson Jr.’s second time being named to the All-Star team after his impressive play for the Grizzlies got rewarded this season. 

  • Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets) | 2024-25 averages: 19.1 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 5 APG 

Sengun, like Williams and Wembanyama, will be making his first appearance in an All-Star game behind his stellar play that propelled the Houston Rockets to the second spot in the loaded West.