Devin Booker to replace injured Damian Lillard in All-Star Game

PHOENIX Suns guard Devin Booker was named Thursday to replace injured Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard in this weekend's AllStar Game.

Lillard sustained a right groin injury in Wednesday night's 111-104 loss at Memphis and was scheduled for an MRI on Thursday. He told reporters that he would not play in the All-Star Game or take part in the 3-Point Contest in Chicago this weekend.

"That's something you look forward to, those festivities and having fun," Lillard, 29, said. "But my health is first, and I knew right away. I'll still be there and be a part of it, but I'm not going to play."

Commissioner Adam Silver selected Booker, who will be making his first All-Star appearance, to take Lillard's spot on Team LeBron. NBA rules require that the commissioner select a replacement player from the same conference.

Booker, 23, becomes the Suns' first All-Star representative since Steve Nash in 2011-12. He is averaging 26.4 points (10th in the NBA), plus 6.3 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game.

Lillard was selected to his fifth All-Star team. He is averaging 29.5 points (fourth in the NBA) and 7.9 assists per game.

He will still be visible on All-Star weekend, even if he won't be in uniform.

The Athletic reported last week that Lillard, also known by his rap name Dame D.O.L.L.A., is scheduled to perform Saturday night during All-Star festivities.

Tatum scores 39 as Celtics stop Clippers in 2 OTs

Jayson Tatum scored 17 of his game-high 39 points from the fourth quarter on, leading the Boston Celtics past the visiting Los Angeles Clippers, 141-133, in double overtime Thursday night.

Marcus Smart added 31 points, and Gordon Hayward scored 21 with 13 rebounds as the Celtics enter the All-Star break winners of eight of their last nine. Tatum shot 14 of 23 with nine rebounds.

Lou Williams had 35 points, Kawhi Leonard scored 28 with 11 rebounds and Montrezl Harrell had 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Clippers, who completed a 1-3 road trip. Los Angeles lost Paul George in the second quarter with a recurrence of a left hamstring strain.

After Smart and Tatum gave the Celtics a four-point lead with 2:01 to go in the second overtime, Hayward drilled a 3 with 1:36 left for a 137-132 edge. Hayward added a block, a steal and four free throws the rest of the way as Boston cruised to victory.

Tatum put the Celtics up, 127-124, in the first overtime before Landry Shamet tied the score on a trey with 21 seconds to go. Tatum missed a potential game-winner at the buzzer.

Williams scored 15 points in the fourth, leading

the Clippers from down eight in the quarter to a 107-all tie with four minutes remaining. The Clippers knotted the score again at 114 on a Marcus Morris Sr. trey with 46.8 seconds left.

Kemba Walker missed a chance at a game-winner to lead to overtime.

Williamson scores 32 but Pelicans fall to Thunder

Danilo Gallinari scored 11 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter as the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder held off the New Orleans Pelicans, 123-118, on Thursday night.

The Thunder completed a four-game sweep of the season series in the last game for both teams before the AllStar break.

Dennis Schroder had seven of his 22 points in the fourth quarter, Shai GilgeousAlexander finished with 17 points, Chris Paul had 14 points and 12 assists, Steven Adams had 11 points and 11 rebounds and Mike Muscala scored 10.

Rookie Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with a seasonhigh 32 points, surpassing the 31 he had two nights earlier against the Portland Trail Blazers. JJ Redick scored 24, Lonzo Ball had 16 points and Jrue Holiday totaled 14 points and 11 assists. New Orleans played its third straight game without All-Star forward Brandon Ingram, who has a sprained ankle.