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It’s official: Donovan Mitchell is an All-star starter in the Eastern Conference.
As announced on TNT ahead of the Thursday night slate of games, Mitchell was named a starter. He will start alongside Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving, Nets forward Kevin Durant, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Making his 4th #NBAAllStar appearance... Donovan Mitchell of the @cavs.
— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) January 27, 2023
Drafted as the 13th overall pick in 2017 out of Louisville, @spidadmitchell is averaging 28.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG and 4.8 APG for the Cavaliers this season. pic.twitter.com/jghBL9I4CT
This is Mitchell’s fourth All-Star appearance overall and his first with Cleveland. For the season, he’s averaging a career-best 28.3 points along with 4.8 assists and 4 rebounds per game. He has been playing at an All-NBA level in his first season with the Cavs, highlighted by his 71-point night against the Chicago Bulls.
“I appreciate it,” Mitchell said in an interview on TNT after being named a starter. “I’m blessed and humbled to be a part of this, to be a part of my fourth All-Star. To be a starter man — I couldn’t be happier. I’m definitely appreciative of it.”
The Western Conference starters are Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, Dallas Mavericks Luka Doncic, Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson.
With reserved to be announced at a later date, Mitchell could be joined at All-Star weekend by teammates Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. The actual All-Star teams will be selected by the captains (Antetokounmpo and James) on Sunday, Feb. 19 ahead of the All-Star game.
“This is just one of those goals you wanna achieve in your career,” Mitchell said, “but ultimately, you’re trying to win games and make it to June. But as far as me personally, I’m definitely blessed and honored to be a part of this and you always have that chip on your shoulder, especially when you’ve been traded and you’re in a situation where, you know, these guys believe in me, trust in me to go out there and do what I do and I wouldn’t be here without my teammates, my coaches. You go out there, do what you gotta do. I’m just thankful.”
All-Star Weekend 2023 will be held in Salt Lake City, making a homecoming of sorts for Mitchell.
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