Injured Lakers star Kobe Bryant gets named in NBA All-Star squad

LOS Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant has been named in his 17th NBA All-Star Game, on the same day his club announced he had a torn rotator cuff.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant reacts after missing a basket against the Miami Heat that would have tied the score, in the final seconds of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015. The Heat won 78-75. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

LOS Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant has been named in his 17th NBA All-Star Game, on the same day his club announced he had a torn rotator cuff.

Bryant garnered one of the Western Conference starting guard spots on Thursday over league-leading scorer James Harden.

But before the voting results were announced, the Lakers had revealed the veteran had been injured in Wednesday night’s game, making it unlikely he will be able to play in the February 15 mid-season showcase at Madison Square Garden.

Bryant received 1,152,402 votes — 83,034 more than Harden.

Bryant was also a surprise pick for the Western Conference team last year because of injuries and was eventually replaced by Harden.

The other starting guard for the West is Golden State’s Stephen Curry, who overcame LeBron James in the past week to earn the most overall votes with 1.51 million to James’s 1.47 million in global fan voting.

Besides having a new top overall vote-getter, this season’s event will feature several first-time starters, including New Orleans Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis.

Clippers forward Blake Griffin and Grizzlies centre Marc Gasol make up the West’s frontcourt.

New York forward Carmelo Anthony and Chicago big man Pau Gasol will join James in the frontcourt for the Eastern Conference, while Washington point guard John Wall and Toronto’s Kyle Lowry comprise the back-court.

Lowry vaulted past Miami’s Dwyane Wade for the final guard spot. Atlanta’s Mike Budenholzer and Golden State’s Steve Kerr will be the head coaches for the game.

Originally published as Injured Lakers star Kobe Bryant gets named in NBA All-Star squad