Kobe Bryant will be replaced in the All-Star Game starting lineup for the Western Conference by James Harden, according to a report by Yahoo Sports.
The Lakers superstar, Bryant, will miss the game due to the knee injury that has kept him out of action since Dec. 17.
Thunder coach Scott Brooks, who is coaching the Western Conference in Sunday's All-Star game in New Orleans, was charged with making the decision as to who would replace Bryant in the starting lineup. He went with Harden, whom he coached in Oklahoma City from 2009 to 2012.
Bryant was voted in as a starter with the second highest vote total among Western Conference guards despite asking fans to vote in Damian Lillard back in early January.
Pelicans big man Anthony Davis was selected by NBA commissioner Adam Silver to replace Bryant on the roster last week.
