LeBron James won’t play in NBA All-Star Game, ending his 20-year streak

LeBron James, who was set to start his 21st consecutive NBA All-Star Game, withdrew from the game on Sunday due to foot and ankle soreness, which prevented him from competing.

At 40 years old, James played in the Lakers’ loss to Utah on Wednesday. He hoped his foot would feel better Sunday morning, but ultimately chose to prioritize the rest of the regular season and the Lakers’ playoff aspirations.

“I felt like it’s crucial for me to take care of myself and understand what’s ahead,” James said. “I don’t want to call it ‘maintenance,’ but it is. I’ve been dealing with this injury for years, and I have to think about myself. I hope to be ready for Wednesday.”

Since he withdrew late, James was not replaced on the All-Star roster.

James had been scheduled to play with fellow veteran All-Stars like Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and James Harden against the Rising Stars tournament champion team in a new mini-tournament format aimed at boosting competitiveness.

His first-round matchup was set to be against his Lakers teammate Dalton Knecht.

“You won’t see me tonight, unfortunately. I won’t be in uniform,” James said. “Still dealing with ankle and foot discomfort. I won’t be playing. I hate that, but I’m curious to see how the format goes. It’s the first year for it. A lot of us are the ‘OGs,’ which is funny—gray hairs included. It should be fun.”

James mentioned he would head back to Los Angeles after the game to continue treatment on his foot and ankle. The Lakers have a shortened All-Star break, with a game against Charlotte on Wednesday that was rescheduled due to January wildfires.

“There’s no vacation for me,” James said. “I’m heading back to L.A. tonight and will start rehab tomorrow, then practice on Tuesday. I hope to play against Charlotte on Wednesday and Portland on Thursday. It’s a crucial stretch for us.”

During a lengthy media session, James didn’t specifically address his NBA future, though he expressed optimism about the Lakers’ recent trade for Luka Doncic.

“The excitement of adding a generational talent like that to our franchise is giving me energy,” James said. “We’ve only had two games together so far. He’s been on fitness restrictions since coming back from a calf injury, and I believe he hasn’t played since Christmas.”

“As he and the team continue to get into form, I think we’ll be strong as we move forward,” James added.

The Lakers are currently fifth in the Western Conference, holding a 32-20 record and are in playoff contention.

James also declined to comment on the broader state of the NBA, but he acknowledged that the influence of international players has been beneficial, and emphasized the need for players to engage with fans in meaningful ways.

“I’m always thinking about ideas and solutions,” James said. “That’s the key to continuing to grow the game.”