Former Thunder forward Sabonis named NBA All-Star

Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis is an All-Star after all.

With Kevin Du rant unable to play in the March 7 game due to a hamstring injury, Sabonis will replace the Brooklyn Nets superstar in the game according to a release from the NBA.

The Nets said Friday that after a routine followup MRI on Durant's left hamstring, it was determined t hat he needed additional recovery time.

Sabonis earns a $ 1 . 3 million bonus for getting selected to the All-Star game, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.

Many felt Sabonis was snubbed when he wasn't selected earlier this week, despite averaging 21. 5 points, 11.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game for the Pacers, who are currently the No. 4 in the Eastern Conference.

Late Thursday BUCKS 129, PELICANS 125:

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 38 points, Khris Middleton added 31 and Milwaukee outlasted New Orleans on Thursday night. It was the fourth straight win for the Bucks, who finished their first half of the season in third place in the Eastern Conference.

WIZARDS 112, NUGGETS 110:

Bradley Beal scored 33 points, and Jamal Murray bounced a pass to Facundo Campazzo, who clanked a hurried 3 off the rim at the buzzer, leaving the Wizards to celebrate their escape over the Nuggets.

GRIZZLIES 122, CLIPPERS 94:

Tyus Jones scored a career-high 20 points, Memphis slowed Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to beat the Clippers on Thursday night. Dillon Brooks finished with 19 points for Memphis, and Jonas Valanciunas and Ja Morant had 16 each, with Valanciunas adding 15 rebounds.

KNICKS 140, KINGS 121:

Immanuel Quickley scored 18 of his 25 points in the first half, and Julius Randle had 21 points and 14 rebounds to power New York to a win over Sacramento on Thursday night. Quickley and Randle were two of six Knicks players to finish in double figures in scoring as New York improved to 16-17. NETS 129, MAGIC 92: Kyrie Irving had 27 points and nine assists, James Harden scored 20 points and the Nets extended their longest winning streak since moving to Brooklyn to eight games with a 129-92 rout of the Orlando Magic on Thursday night.

SIXERS 111, MAVERICKS 97:

Joel Embiid had 23 points and nine rebounds, Simmons scored 15 points and Philadelphia beat Dallas on Thursday night. All-Stars Simmons and Embiid have led the Sixers to the best record (22-11) in the Eastern Conference.