He's back

German power forward Dirk Nowitkzi of the Dallas Mavericks has been called on to make his 13th NBA All-Star appearance, after initially missing out on a Western Conference team spot.

Nowitzki, who had planned to go on a beach holiday with his family instead, had actually been wanting to take a short mid-season break this All-Star weekend.

"It is always an honor to represent the Mavs at the All-Star Game," Nowitzki said in a Dallas Mavericks press release.

"This year it threw a little bit of a wrench into my plans, but I am very excited," he added. "Even though it was unexpected, I am looking forward to being a part of the festivities in New York."

Personally named

Nowitzki was personally named by league commissioner Adam Silver to replace injured New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis in the mid-season showpiece.

Davis is the third All-Star starter in the West who has had to be replaced because of injury. Kobe Bryant will also miss the game with a shoulder injury, while Blake Griffin is out with an elbow problem. James Harden and Klay Thompson have now been named as starters. Western Conference All-Stars coach Steve Kerr will now have to select who starts for Davis. Nowitzki is expected to be on the reserves bench.

Earlier this season, the Würzburg-born forward joined Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan as the only players to score 27,000 points with one franchise. Nowitzki is now seventh on the NBA career list and the highest scoring foreign-born player in league history.

al/asz (dpa, SID)