Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther is heading to the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend, stepping in as a last-minute replacement for Portland’s Scoot Henderson in the Rising Stars event. The unexpected roster change was announced Wednesday, just hours before Denver faced off against Portland, leaving fans shocked by the sudden shake-up.
Strawther, 22, has been quietly making waves this season, appearing in 54 games and averaging 9.6 points per contest. His contributions off the bench have been invaluable, leading all second-year reserves in total points (479), minutes played (1,112), field goals made (170), and three-pointers made (79). With his recent move into the starting lineup due to Russell Westbrook’s hamstring injury, Strawther has proven he belongs among the league’s rising stars.
The news of his Rising Stars selection came as a surprise to many, as Henderson had originally been set to participate before suffering an ankle injury. Strawther’s selection makes him the 17th Nuggets player to take part in the prestigious event, with the last Denver representative being Bones Hyland in 2023.
A Las Vegas native, Strawther was originally drafted in the first round by Indiana in 2023 after an impressive college career at Gonzaga. The Nuggets secured him via a draft-night trade, and the move has paid dividends. When Strawther plays over 20 minutes, Denver boasts an impressive 26-8 record. Even more remarkably, the team is undefeated (3-0) when he starts.
The Rising Stars event, set for Friday at Chase Center in San Francisco, will feature four teams of seven players each. The tournament format includes semifinal matchups where the first team to 40 points wins, followed by a championship game played to 25 points. The victors will join three NBA player teams in the All-Star Game’s innovative format.
Strawther will compete as a member of “Team M,” coached by NBA legend Mitch Richmond. He joins a talented roster that includes Houston’s Amen Thompson, Detroit’s Ausar Thompson, Portland’s Toumani Camara, New Orleans’ Yves Missi, and Washington’s Bub Carrington and Bilal Coulibaly.
For Strawther, this opportunity not only solidifies his rising status in the league but also serves as a major milestone in his young career. With the national spotlight now on him, the Nuggets guard has a chance to make a statement on one of basketball’s biggest stages.
As fans process the unexpected change, all eyes will be on Strawther as he looks to prove he belongs among the NBA’s elite young talents. Will he seize the moment and turn his Rising Stars appearance into a breakout performance? The stage is set, and the excitement is building.