Lauri Markkanen Not An All-Star Starter, Mitchell Earns First Nod

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen was not named among the starters from the Western Conference for the 2023 All-Star Game which will be held in Salt Lake City.

However, former Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell earned his first starting spot, now as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

On Thursday, the starting five from the Eastern and Western Conferences were named ahead of the February 19 event.

The #NBAAllStar Western Conference Starters:

⭐️ LeBron James
⭐️ Nikola Jokic
⭐️ Luka Doncic
⭐️ Zion Williamson
⭐️ Steph Curry pic.twitter.com/3m6IER1Og1

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 27, 2023

In the West, LeBron James (captain), Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Zion Williamson earned the starting nod.

In the East, Giannis Antetokounmpo (captain), Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Mitchell were named starters.

Markkanen Hopes To Be Named All-Star Reserve

Markkanen didn’t receive enough votes to be named a Western Conference starter but was among the top seven frontcourt vote-getters.

Now, the Jazz forward’s destiny lies in the hands of NBA coaches who are tasked with naming the All-Star reserves.

The @utahjazz unveiled their All-Star campaign for Lauri Markkanen, who has shown enough this year to earn a nod. #TakeNote https://t.co/0WTjZWaWgv

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 2, 2023

Markkanen is averaging 24.8 points and 8.7 rebounds while shooting 52 percent from the floor, 43 percent from three, and 87 percent from the free-throw line.

On Wednesday, Markkanen became only the fourth player in Jazz history to score 20 points or more in 17 consecutive games, joining Karl Malone, Adrian Dantley, and “Pistol” Pete Maravich, all members of the Basketball Hall Of Fame.

Reserves will be revealed on February 2 on TNT.

Mitchell Earns First All-Star Nod

After being named a reserve each of the last three seasons with the Jazz, Mitchell broke through as an All-Star starter with the Cavaliers.

The former Jazz guard is averaging a career-high 28.3 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.0 rebound while shooting 48 percent from the floor and 39 percent from the three-point line.

The #NBAAllStar Eastern Conference Starters:

⭐️ Giannis Antetokounmpo
⭐️ Kevin Durant
⭐️ Donovan Mitchell
⭐️ Jayson Tatum
⭐️ Kyrie Irving pic.twitter.com/B2UDisxSv2

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 27, 2023

Mitchell spent five seasons with the Jazz, appearing in 345 games including 337 starts.

The guard averaged 23.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per contest while shooting 44 percent from the field and 36 percent from the three-point line.

Utah To Host All-Star Game

The Jazz are preparing to host the All-Star game in Salt Lake City for the first time since 1993.

“We’re going to roll in Utah from Salt Lake to Park City,” Jazz owner Ryan Smith said during the 2022 All-Star broadcast at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. “Don’t come for a couple of days, come for the whole week.”

Last February the Jazz released a video of all 30 All-Star Weekend logos dating back to the last time the event was held in Salt Lake City.

The Jazz were awarded the 2023 game in 2019 when the team was still under the ownership of the Miller family.

In 2016, Vivint Arena received a $125 million renovation under the Miller’swhich helped them land the star-studded weekend.

Both Sacramento and Milwaukee also bid on the 2023 All-Star Weekend which is expected to generate $45-50 million in economic impact for the state according to former Governor Gary Herbert.

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