Although some have downplayed the glaring omissions of Carmelo Anthony and Josh Howard from the Western Conference All-Star team as a temporary issue, for one of the two it might not be.

One certainly will be named an injury replacement by Commissioner David Stern for Rockets center Yao Ming, who will miss the game with a broken leg. But Jazz forward Carlos Boozer, the other Western All-Star who is ailing, warned not to count him out yet.

Boozer, who injured his left knee a week ago, said he might be able to make it back and would not make a decision until closer to the Feb. 18 game in Las Vegas. That could put Stern in a bind, either leaving Dallas with Dirk Nowitzki as its lone All-Star or keeping out a player, in Anthony, who could stand, at the time, as the league's leading scorer.