Harden out of All-Star Game with hamstring injury

James Harden will miss the All-Star Game due to a left hamstring injury, with Jarrett Allen selected as his replacement. 

After joining the Philadelphia 76ers in a blockbuster trade that sent Ben Simmons to the Brooklyn Nets, Harden was ruled out until after this weekend’s All-Star break. 

The 2018 NBA MVP had been selected as a reserve but will not feature in the game as he continues to recover from his hamstring issue. 

Harden joined up with his new team-mates in Philadelphia for practice on Monday but will not play against the Boston Celtics or Milwaukee Bucks this week. 

Cleveland Cavaliers center Allen was named as Harden’s replacement for Sunday’s game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse by NBA commissioner Adam Silver. 

It will be Allen’s first appearance in the All-Star Game and he will be part of Team LeBron. Cavs team-mate Darius Garland will line-up opposite him for Team Durant. 

The 23-year-old is averaging career highs of 16.2 points and 11.1 rebounds this season. He is ninth in the league for rebounds per game and 13th in blocks per game.