After 21 glorious years, the curtain closed on LeBron James‘ unprecedented run as an NBA All-Star starter, signaling a major shift in the league’s power dynamics. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar was notably absent from the starting lineup announced on January 19, 2026. However, James’ reaction to the unexpected snub is refreshingly surprising.
LeBron James said this about losing All-Star starter spot
LeBron James‘ response to losing his All-Star starter spot was a masterclass in humility. Exuding an air of calm confidence, the basketball superstar appears unfazed by the prospect of potentially missing the NBA All-Star Game for the first time in over two decades.
LeBron James took the news of not being an All-Star starter in his stride, saying, “No, not at all. I’m always grateful. I’m always grateful, for sure. If I’m there, I’ll be there in attendance. If I’m not, I know I’ll be able to take full advantage of it, I know exactly what I’ll be doing. I’m good either way.”
James, a dominant force in the league since his rookie season, had been selected as an All-Star starter every year since 2005.
The NBA All-Star Game starters were selected through a combination of fan voting (50%), player votes (25%), and media ballots (25%). The Western Conference starters include Steph Curry, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Victor Wembanyama. The Eastern Conference starters are Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, and Tyrese Maxey.
Despite missing the first 14 games of the season due to sciatica issues, the star basketballer has been playing well, averaging 22.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game. James can still participate in the All-Star Game as a reserve by scoring coaches’ votes by February 1. Commissioner Adam Silver also has the option to select James as an injury replacement.
At 41, LeBron James is playing like he’s in his prime. He continues to play a big role in the Lakers’ quest for the championship while proving he’s still among the NBA’s top performers.
