Warriors Lakers Basketball

LeBron James will sit out of the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the San Antonio Spurs due to left foot arthritis. The decision will prevent him from qualifying for consideration for his 22nd straight appearance on an All-NBA team. James has been one of the three All-NBA postseason teams in each of his last 21 seasons, but this game will be the 18th that he has missed this season. Players must play in at least 65 games to be considered for end-of-season awards under the NBA’s current rules. Los Angeles is also holding out Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

For two solid decades, LeBron James was a main attraction at every NBA All-Star weekend. He was a 20-year-old starter in his All-Star debut back in 2005, and he became the youngest MVP of the game just one year later. Never begging off due to injury or exhaustion while his less-accomplished teammates enjoyed their breaks from the season’s grind, James dutifully appeared in every midseason showcase until 2025. Now 41, James will be back this weekend for the All-Star Game at Intuit Dome south of central Los Angeles, spending another Sunday in February under the spotlight while extending his records for the most All-Star selections and All-Star appearances.