LeBron James has done a lot of things no NBA player has ever done. But on Sunday night, he did something entirely new-he sat out an All-Star Game.
For 20 straight seasons, the Lakers superstar has been a fixture at the league’s biggest midseason event, setting a record for consecutive All-Star appearances. But that streak came to an end in San Francisco, as James announced just hours before tipoff that he wouldn’t be suiting up due to ongoing ankle and foot discomfort.
“I was hoping it would feel a lot better this morning, but it’s not where I want it to be,” James told reporters in a press conference before the All-Star mini-tournament.
This wasn’t an easy decision. James, now 40 years old, has spent much of the season managing his body while trying to keep the Lakers competitive in a stacked Western Conference. With just 30 games left in the season and the Lakers hovering around the playoff picture, he made it clear his priority was staying healthy for the stretch run.
“I have to look out for myself when it comes to this injury that I’ve been dealing with for years,”James said.
He played in the Lakers’ final game before the All-Star break-a 131-119 loss to the Utah Jazz-but quickly shifted his focus to recovery. Rather than taking the typical All-Star break vacation, he’s heading back to Los Angeles for rehab, hoping to be ready for the Lakers’ matchup against Charlotte on Wednesday.
A new all-star format, but missing its biggest stars
This year’s All-Star Weekend already had a different feel, with the NBA moving away from the traditional East vs. West matchup in favor of a four-team tournament. James was supposed to play for “Shaq’s OGs,” a squad featuring stars like Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, but his absence left his team with just seven available players.
The change comes at a time when fan interest in the All-Star Game has been declining. While the new format was designed to bring more competitiveness to the event, missing a marquee player like James only adds to questions about whether the NBA needs to rethink its midseason showcase.
James wasn’t the only big name missing from the festivities. Luka Doncic, who was recently traded to the Lakers, also skipped the All-Star Game due to a lingering calf injury. Injuries have been a growing issue for All-Star Weekend, with several players choosing to rest rather than risk further damage in a game with no stakes.
Despite that, the rest of the weekend went on as planned. Tyler Herro won the Three-Point Contest, while Mac McClung claimed his third straight Slam Dunk Contest title, solidifying his status as the event’s latest showman.
Eyes on the playoffs: LeBron’s bigger picture
With All-Star Weekend behind him, James’ focus is now fully on the Lakers’ playoff push. His availability for Wednesday’s game against the Hornets is still up in the air, but he’s doing everything he can to be on the floor.
“We have a big stretch ahead of us,”James said.“I’ll be back in rehab tomorrow and hopefully ready to go.”
For the first time in two decades, the All-Star Game moved on without LeBron James. But if all goes according to plan, he’ll be back on the court soon-this time, with much bigger goals in mind.
