Update: Damian Lillard got his wish, and rising star Devin Booker has become his replacement for the All-Star Game!

Portland Trail Blazers star guard Damian Lillard will be missing the 2020 All-Star Weekend, where he was slated to participate twice – the Three-Point Contest and the All-Star Game between Team LeBron vs. Team Giannis.

The 29-year-old strained his groin during Thursday’s 111-104 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and will opt to nurse the injury moving forward.

The injury happened late in the fourth quarter, when the Blazers were trying to rally from a 12-point deficit with under four minutes remaining. Lillard eased past his defender with a quick first step but wasn’t able to fully shake-off the next wave, which included big man Jonas Valanciunas, who deflected his shot and caused an awkward landing. Dame didn’t make it back on defense and was seen grimacing in pain.

Lillard would’ve been in his fourth-straight All-Star Game and seventh overall. It was well-deserved despite Portland’s rough campaign (25-31, 9th in the West), as he is currently pouring in 29.5 points, 7.9 assists, and 3.9 threes per game, all of which are career-bests. He also has a pair of 60-point and 50-point performances on the season.

Once realizing that he won’t be able to make it in the star-studded affair, Dame wasted no time throwing out a name to be his replacement.

Here’s what he told the media in the post-game interviews:

“I’ll still be there and be a part of it, but I’m not going to be able to play. Hopefully somebody that should have been there but didn’t make it [will take my place]… Hopefully Devin Booker or somebody like that will get the spot.”

Devin Booker appeared flattered with Lillard’s shoutout, but was probably keeping his expectations low.

“It means a lot. Respect from my peers is my main focus in the NBA… But at the same time, we’ll cross the bridge when we get there… Guess we’ll wait and see”

Booker will be excited about his All-Star berth, and fans can look forward to him bringing his A-game to prove that he belongs.

Analysts and fans had the Phoenix Suns guard at the top of this year’s ‘All-Star snubs,’ so it’s a great choice and endorsement. Booker, who, like Lillard, is a scoring machine that plays on a low-seeded team (the Suns are 22-33, 12th in the West), is putting up numbers that are worthy of the spot – 26.4 points and 6.3 assists on 49.6%-shooting.

Other West guards that were also deemed to be a good replacement are veterans DeMar DeRozan (23.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.2 APG) of the San Antonio Spurs and Lou Williams (19.2 PPG, 5.9 APG) of the LA Clippers. Elite rookie Ja Morant (17.6 PPG, 7.1 APG) is also in the conversation as he has helped the Grizzlies enter the playoff picture.