Damian Lillard says he won’t play in All-Star game after injuring groin

MEMPHIS — Ja Morant’s All-Star plans could get a little busier after Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard suffered a right groin strain in the Memphis Grizzlies’ 111-104 winWednesday night.

Lillard left the game with 3:22 remaining in the fourth quarter and immediately went to the locker room. Afterwards, Lillard said he will not participate in the All-Star Game on Sunday in Chicago nor Saturday’s 3-point shootout.

“My health comes first and I knew right away that it wasn’t going to happen. I will still be there and be a part of it, but I’m not going to be able to play,” Lillard told reporters.

That leaves the door open for a replacement and for Morant to possibly fill it, with the Grizzlies sitting with a four-game lead for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.

The Grizzlies rookie will already be in Chicago for Friday’s Rising Stars Challenge. Lillard offered Devin Booker as another candidate, with the Phoenix Suns guard currently 10th in the NBA in scoring at 26.4 points per game.

“That means a lot,” Booker said after the Suns defeated the Warriors in Phoenix. “I’ve always said respect from my peers is my main focus and goal in this NBA. but at the same time, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. I don’t know the criteria or what happens next so I guess we’ll wait and see.”

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