After 21 consecutive seasons, LeBron James will not start the All-Star Game. The All-Star starting teams have been announced, and the absence of the 41-year-old Los Angeles Lakers superstar, in his 23rd NBA season, is causing consternation.
The 2026 All-Star Game will be played on February 15 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, home of the Los Angeles Clippers. LeBron still has the opportunity to be selected as a backup. Now, the ball is in the NBA coaches’ court, who will name the final 14 players, seven per conference. Full batches will be announced on February 1st.
LeBron has played in 24 games so far this season, averaging 22.6 points, 6.9 assists and 5.9 rebounds per game. James was named MVP of the All-Star Game three times.
The combination of votes from fans (50%), current NBA players (25%) and journalists (25%) produced the result below. Here are the holders:
EAST: Cade Cunningham (Detroit, 2nd appearance), Jalen Brunson (New York, 3rd appearance), Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia, 2nd appearance), Jaylen Brown (Boston, 5th appearance), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee, 10th appearance).
WEST: Steph Curry (Golden State, 12th appearance), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City, fourth appearance), Luka Doncic (Los Angeles Lakers, sixth appearance), Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio, second appearance), Nikola Jokic (Denver, eighth appearance).
Jokic is currently injured, it remains to be seen if he will be back by then. The first to be left out are Cleveland Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell in the East and Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards, who was passed out by Wemby for the last available spot in the West.
