Allen Iverson Live

Until an NBA official says differently, Allen Iverson is still set to be a starter in this Sunday’s All-Star game in Dallas.

Iverson’s status remained intact as of last night’s Sixers game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, even though he missed his fourth game in succession while attending to his ill daughter. The 76ers announced that Iverson also will miss tonight’s game in Toronto, the team’s final game before the All-Star break, but that he will return Feb. 16 against the Miami Heat in the Wachovia Center.

This will be Iverson’s 11th straight All-Star appearance, and the first by a Sixer since 2006.

“Our understanding is, he will still be an All-Star,” league spokesman Tim Frank said last night in an e-mail.

A source familiar with the Sixers’ situation said Iverson intends to make his All-Star appearance.

Earlier in the week, Sixers coach Eddie Jordan would not address whether Iverson would remain a starter when he rejoins the team; Iverson is averaging 14.7 points, 4.2 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 22 games since signing Dec. 2 as an unrestricted free agent.

“He’s been great, in the locker room, on the court,” teammate Elton Brand said. “Whatever the big bosses decide, I’m sure he’s going to go with it and come back and help us win games.”

Allen Iverson will not play against the Chicago Bulls because one of his children is ill. The team announced the All-Star guard will sit out the home game Wednesday night. He was excused from practice on Tuesday to deal with the issue. He is expected to play Friday at New Orleans.

Iverson has averaged 14.4 points in 25 games since he returned to the Sixers in December. He was voted an Eastern Conference All-Star for the Feb. 14 game.