Bam Adebayo of the Heat Selected as Starter for All-Star Game, Replacing Joel Embiid
Miami’s Bam Adebayo to Start in NBA All-Star Game, Substituting for Injured Joel Embiid
Miami’s Bam Adebayo is set to receive a significant accolade as he becomes an All-Star starter for the first time in his career.
The announcement came on Saturday, with Adebayo named as the replacement for Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid in the Eastern Conference starting lineup for the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night, due to Embiid’s absence because of a knee injury.
The decision was made by Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers, who will be leading the East team in the All-Star Game.
Adebayo earned his All-Star selection this season as a reserve, as he did previously in 2020 and 2023, with coaches selecting him.
Notably, he also clinched victory in the skills competition at the All-Star weekend in 2020.
He joins an illustrious group of players as the seventh member of the Miami Heat to be named an All-Star starter, the last being Dwyane Wade in 2016.
Other notable Heat players who have received this honor include Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Alonzo Mourning, and Anthony Mason.
Adebayo’s accomplishments extend beyond the NBA All-Star Game.
He was part of the U.S. Olympic team that secured gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021 and is expected to contribute to the team’s pursuit of a fifth consecutive gold medal at the Paris Olympics this summer.
Additionally, Adebayo has been recognized for his defensive prowess, earning a spot on the All-Defensive team four times and consistently ranking high in the defensive player of the year voting over the past four seasons.
In the current NBA season, Adebayo has been a standout performer, averaging 20.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1 block per game.
This marks his seventh season with the Heat and his first as the team’s captain. His statistical contributions put him in elite company, with only two other players, Embiid and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, averaging at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block per game this season.
