Heat’s Bosh out of NBA All-Star Game

That also means Bosh will not take part in the 3-point contest on Saturday.

Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks will replace him in the Eastern Conference lineup.

Chris Bosh abruptly withdrew from his All-Star events Friday afternoon because of a strained right calf muscle.

Bosh made it no secret the main reason he left Toronto was because he felt he couldn’t win a title there. Because of the extended All-Star break, which the National Basketball Association instituted a year ago, Miami does not play again until Friday.

It was originally reported that he would miss the festivities due to an undisclosed injury. If this requires a similar recovery period, he would be out three games.

The game, played in two 20-minute halves, pitted the top rookies and sophomores from around the world against the best from the U.S. Even though he is averaging 19.1 points and 7.4 rebounds, his run of being a perennial all-star is coming to a close – Bosh even said so himself.

While Bosh’s return to Toronto for the All-Star Game would have been a fun storyline to follow, Horford is a worthy replacement who could have been on the initial roster. Me going 25 for 25, you can’t show that. “I know C.B. probably as well as I’ve known anybody that I’ve coached and I know his competitive character”.

Bosh spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Raptors and had been looking forward to the Toronto showcase.

Bosh, an 11-time All-Star selection, played in Miami’s last game and appeared to finish without sustaining an injury. This will mark his fourth appearance in an All-Star Game since 2010.