LeBron James Misses First-Ever NBA All-Star Game Due to Foot and Ankle Injury

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James made history once again, but this time for an unfortunate reason. The 40-year-old NBA legend sat out his first All-Star Game ever, citing persistent discomfort in his left foot and ankle. This marked the first time in his 21-year career that he missed the prestigious event despite being named a starter for a record 21st consecutive year. 

LeBron James Prioritizes Health Over the All-Star Game

James, who had already missed a game against the Indiana Pacers leading up to the All-Star break due to the same lingering injury, expressed his disappointment but emphasized the importance of staying healthy for the playoff push.

“I was hoping it would feel a lot better this morning, but it was not where I wanted it to be,” James said about his ankle injury.

The 22-year veteran also opted out of the ceremonial practice and media availability on Saturday, a move granted by the NBA as a form of consideration for his long-standing contributions to the game. Despite his absence, James remained focused on returning for the Lakers’ first game after the break against the Charlotte Hornets, a game that had been rescheduled due to Los Angeles wildfires.

With the Lakers sitting at 32-20 and ranked 5th in the Western Conference, James made it clear that his decision to skip the All-Star Game was in the best interest of the team’s success.

“With 30 games left and us trying to make a playoff push in the wild, wild West, I felt like it was very important for me to kind of take care of myself and understand what’s coming on down the stretch,” he stated.

LeBron James’ Impact on the Season and All-Star Weekend

James’ decision to withdraw came just two hours before tipoff, leaving no time for a replacement to be named. However, his All-Star team, Team Shaq’s OGs, went on to secure a victory over Team Chuck.

Even at 40 years old, James has continued to showcase his elite performance, averaging 24.3 points, 9.0 assists, and 7.7 rebounds on 51.6% shooting (39.5% from three-point range) across 48 games this season. His leadership and experience remain crucial for the Lakers, especially as they adjust to the addition of Luka Dončić, who was recently acquired in a blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis.

When asked about how playing alongside Dončić could impact his career longevity, James downplayed any thoughts of retirement, instead expressing excitement over the team’s potential.  The game of basketball is beautiful,” James said. “[The NBA is] better from when I entered the league in 2003, and hopefully it continues to be even better when I’m done playing, as well.”

“I have not given it that type of thought,” James admitted. “Just the excitement of being able to add a caliber player like Luka, a generational talent, to our franchise, it’s something that’s given me energy. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do. I think we could be really good down the stretch. But we’ll see what happens.”

LeBron Weighs in on NBA Dunk Contest and League Evolution

Another major talking point from All-Star Weekend was the annual Slam Dunk Contest. With stars like Ja Morant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Zach LaVine hinting at joining the competition next year, James was asked if he regretted never participating in the event.

“No, there’s no part of me that has regrets about not doing it,” James stated. “Obviously, I had a couple of moments where I wanted to do it, and it just never worked out that way.”

However, he did acknowledge that seeing established stars compete in the contest could bring excitement back to the event.

“If those guys do it, those are superstars in our league, and we all know the athleticism they possess. I think it would be pretty cool to see.”

James also took a moment to discuss the current state of the NBA, following his earlier comments about the game being too focused on three-pointers. While he expressed concerns about certain aspects of modern play, he ultimately praised the league’s growth and global appeal.

“We love our game. The game of basketball is beautiful,” James remarked. “The NBA is better now than when I entered the league in 2003, and hopefully, it continues to be even better when I’m done playing.”

All-Star Game Format Change and the Rise of Young Stars

This year’s All-Star Game featured a revamped round-robin tournament format, pitting three teams of All-Stars against a group of first- and second-year Rising Stars.

LeBron’s team, led by Shaquille O’Neal, faced off against the Rising Stars squad, which included promising young talents like Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs and Dalton Knecht of the Los Angeles Lakers.

“I know we’ve got a lot of great—calling us the OGs, that’s hilarious,” James joked. “I saw the quote the other day with DK (Knecht) saying he was going to play against me. So I guess I’ll see him in practice and we can go at it then.”

While Knecht and the Rising Stars lost their matchup, the tournament-style game was well received by fans, adding a fresh competitive edge to the All-Star Weekend.

Looking Ahead: Lakers’ Playoff Aspirations

With LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Anthony Davis now forming a powerful trio, the Lakers are positioning themselves as a serious threat in the Western Conference.

James’ decision to rest during the All-Star break underscores his commitment to team success, prioritizing health and longevity over personal accolades. As the Lakers push towards the NBA Playoffs, James remains laser-focused on bringing another championship to Los Angeles.

With 30 games left, will the Lakers’ new dynamic be enough to secure a deep playoff run? Only time will tell, but with LeBron James leading the charge, Los Angeles fans have plenty to be excited about. his first time missing the game in his career — because of lingering discomfort in his left foot and ankle. James, 40, sat out the Lakers’ win over the Indiana Pacers last weekend because of the same injury.