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Sixers’ Joel Embiid picked by Team Durant, Ben Simmons goes to Team LeBron in NBA All-Star Game draft

The NBA All-Star Game will be 8 p.m. Sunday at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

Sixers center Joel Embiid tries to save the ball to teammate Ben Simmons against Indiana on Monday. They are both All-Stars.
Sixers center Joel Embiid tries to save the ball to teammate Ben Simmons against Indiana on Monday. They are both All-Stars.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer

Ben Simmons is becoming an annual member of Team LeBron.

For the third consecutive season, the 76ers facilitator will play with close friend and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James in the NBA All-Star Game. That became possible when James selected Simmons with the fourth pick in the reserve round for Team LeBron during Thursday’s All-Star draft.

Earlier, Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant selected 76ers center Joel Embiid with the fourth-overall pick for Team Durant in the first round of the draft that was designated for starters.

The All-Star Game will be 8 p.m. Sunday at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

Embiid was voted an Eastern Conference All-Star starter for the fourth consecutive season on Feb. 18. Simmons was named an Eastern Conference All-Star reserve for third straight time on Feb. 23.

James (West) and Durant (East) led the 10 All-Star starters in voting by fans, players, and a panel of reporters. They were named team captains after finishing as the top vote-getters in their conferences.

Along with Simmons, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Steph Curry, Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul, Jaylen Brown, Paul George, Domantas Sabonis, and Rudy Gobert will play for Team LeBron.

Joining Embiid on Team Durant will be Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, Bradley Beal, Jayson Tatum, James Harden, Devin Booker, Zion Williamson, Zach LaVine, Julius Randle, Nik Vučević, and Donovan Mitchell. Durant will miss the game due to a left hamstring strain.

The format of the All-Star Game will be the same as last season. Teams will compete to win the first, second, and third quarters before reaching a final target score during an untimed fourth quarter.

The All-Star Game was originally scheduled for Feb. 14 in Indianapolis, but it was postponed due to COVID-19. The Pacers instead are expected to host NBA All-Star weekend Feb. 16-18, 2024.