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Thompson, Harden will start for West in All-Star game

Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson, left, drives down court as Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Martin defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015, in Minneapolis. The Warriors won 94-91. Martin led the Timberwolves with 21 points. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson, left, drives down court as Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Martin defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015, in Minneapolis. The Warriors won 94-91. Martin led the Timberwolves with 21 points. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

By Associated Press February 11, 2015 1 min read

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson and Houston Rockets guard James Harden have been named starters for the Western Conference All-Star team.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who will coach the team on Sunday in New York, made the announcement on Wednesday night.

Thompson and Harden will replace the injured Kobe Bryant and Blake Griffin, who were voted in as starters by the fans.

Thompson is averaging 22.1 points and shooting 44 percent from 3-point range for the Warriors, who have the league’s best record at 42-9. He will start alongside fellow Splash Brother Stephen Curry.

Harden is leading the league in scoring at 27.7 points per game.

The West has one more open spot in the starting lineup after Pelicans forward Anthony Davis pulled out with a strained right shoulder.