Paul George replaces DeMarcus Cousins at 2018 NBA All-Star Game

In news that will likely excite Russell Westbrook, Paul George will be replacing an injured DeMarcus Cousins at the 2018 NBA All-Star Game.

After huge news struck on Friday that DeMarcus Cousins tore his left Achilles tendon, NBA fans were obviously upset that the New Orleans Pelicans forward would miss the rest of the regular season. However, the information of less importance was that Cousins would miss the All-Star Game, as well.

With Cousins out of action, NBA commissioner Adam Silver took matters into his own hands to find a replacement on Team LeBron for All-Star Weekend. After all of the drama with snubs from the lineups, there was only one name that made sense for the new All-Star.

Likely much to the delight of his new Team LeBron teammate Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George was named as Cousins’ replacement, filling out the Team LeBron lineup.

Team LeBron’s starters were already loaded before George joined, with LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis filling the starting spots. On the bench, George will have his Thunder teammate Westbrook waiting to join in on the action.

Westbrook stood up for George after the all-stars were revealed for this year’s game, with George snubbed from the rosters. And, supposedly, George was so close to making the cut for All-Star Weekend.

According to a tweet from Royce Young, Silver selected George for having the most head coach voting points out of all Western Conference players not selected to the All-Star Game.

There’s plenty of fun storylines to follow in this year’s All-Star Game, with James and Irving reuniting on Team LeBron, George and Westbrook teaming up, Durant going up against his Golden State Warriors teammates on Team Stephen, and plenty of other action to tune into.

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While All-Star Weekend is usually lackluster, this one may turn into an interesting one to watch.