Clippers rightfully earn two NBA All-Star selections amid standout season

On Thursday evening, the NBA announced its reserve selections for the 2024 All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana. The league's head coaches conducted the voting to fill the remaining 14 spots in this year's All-Star Game.

The voters awarded each conference seven All-Star reserve spots: two guards, three frontcourt players, and an additional two selections of any position in the conference.

The game's starters were revealed last week with Milwaukee forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Los Angeles forward LeBron James leading the way in voting in their respective conferences.

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George led the way among LA Clippers vote-getters during the initial voting period but narrowly missed being selected as All-Star starters, finishing fifth and sixth respectively in Western Conference frontcourt voting. James Harden also received a significant vote share among guards but ultimately did not make the cut as a starter or reserve selection.

Western Conference guards who blocked Harden from his 11th career All-Star Game included starters Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as well as Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, and Anthony Edwards.

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are named to the 2024 Western Conference All-Star Reserves

With the Clippers comfortably among the league's best teams since retooling the rotation in late November, it was no surprise Los Angeles would be well-represented at this year's All-Star Game. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have led the Clippers to a 23-5 record over the past two months of play.

The 2024 All-Star Game will mark just the second time Leonard and George will appear in the annual showcase as Clippers teammates. The two last shared the floor as All-Stars in 2021 when Team LeBron defeated Team Durant, 170-150. Notably, Leonard and George played on opposing teams during that season's All-Star Game, making 2024 the first time the Clippers co-stars will also play together in the big game.

Since the beginning of December, the Clippers have lost just three games when Kawhi Leonard is in the lineup. Leonard has posted a 53/44/88 shooting line this season and leads the Clippers with 23.9 points per game. His hyper-efficient offensive approach and staunch defense has created several blowout opportunities for his team, allowing head coach Tyronn Lue to rest Leonard for the entire fourth quarter of 10 games so far this season.

As for Paul George, the All-Star nod is the ninth of his career, a highly impressive feat when considering the number of major injuries George has fought through during his NBA career. Nine All-Star Game appearances will tie George with the career totals of basketball legends such as Gary Payton, Dominique Wilkins, and George's current teammate, Russell Westbrook.

Paul George's 44.2% three-point percentage on catch-and-shoot threes this season ranks third among all players with at least 200 qualifying attempts. Although James Harden will not appear in the All-Star Game, his presence as a facilitator has punched tickets for two Clippers players to appear in the All-Star Game for the first time in three years.