ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard is sitting out the Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star weekend with a strained right calf.
The NBA made the announcement shortly before the start of Friday’s game.
Leonard joins Spurs teammate Tiago Splitter, also taken off the roster after sustaining the same injury. Splitter was replaced by Utah forward Derrick Favors.
This year marks the first time rookies and sophomores have been mixed together on teams. Historically, the game featured NBA rookies facing off against sophomores.
Former NBA players Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley served as general managers and picked the teams. Maurice Cheeks and Mike Fratello are co-head coaches of Barkley’s team. Ron Adams and Steve Kerr are leading O’Neal’s squad.
