NEW YORK (Reuters) - Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love has replaced injured center Yao Ming on the Western Conference team for the 2011 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles, the league said on Friday.
Love was chosen by Commissioner David Stern to fill in for China's Yao, who was voted on despite being unavailable after undergoing ankle surgery which threatens his career.
The Western Conference team will be led by Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who will be joined in the starting lineup by Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony.
Love earns his first All-Star Game selection but is not assured of being the fifth starters, which will be decided by West coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs.
This year's 60th All Star game will be played in Los Angeles on February 20.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Julian Linden)
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