Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo to start NBA All-Star Game

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo has been selected as a replacement starter for the Eastern Conference in Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis.

Adebayo, selected by conference coaches as a reserve, confirmed the elevation during his Saturday media session.

Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers, who is coaching the East, was charged with naming a replacement, with Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid sidelined with a knee injury.

Embiid and the other starters were selected in combined voting of fans, players and media.

Adebayo becomes the Heat’s first All-Star Game starter since Dwyane Wade in 2016.

The other All-Star staters over the Heat’s 36 seasons have been LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Shaquille O’Neal, Alonzo Mourning and Anthony Mason.

Adebayo is the Heat’s lone representative in Sunday’s game.