Feb 1, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) reacts after scoring a basket during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Green to miss Rising Stars Game, Tari Eason added
Rockets guard Jalen Green will miss the Rising Stars Game on Friday night during All Star Weekend in Salt Lake City, but forward Tari Eason has been selected to take part, the NBA announced Thursday.
Green will not participate after he suffered a left groin strain during the second quarter of Wednesday’s game in Oklahoma City. Fellow sophomore Ayo Dosunmu will replace him on Team Deron (Williams). The 21-year-old leads the Rockets in scoring this season, averaging 21.8 points per game.
Eason was not one of the 12 rookies originally selected to participate in Friday’s event, but he’ll replace Detroit’s Jalen Duren after the Pistons’ center suffered a sprained right ankle. He’ll join Jabari Smith Jr. on team Joakim (Noah). The 17th pick of June’s draft is averaging 8.7 points and 5.5 rebounds as a rookie.
The Rockets won’t have a player in Sunday’s All-Star Game, but they’ll be well represented throughout the weekend with Eason, Smith, and Alperen Sengun slated to play in the Rising Stars Game. Smith will compete in the Skills Challenge on Saturday night, which will be followed by K.J. Martin taking part in the Slam Dunk Contest.
