James snubbed as NBA All-Star starter for first time since 2004

VIDEO SHOWS: FILE PHOTOS & FOOTAGE OF LEBRON JAMES / FILE FOOTAGE FROM THE 2025 NBA ALL-STAR GAME RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT SHOWS: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FILE – FEBRUARY 13, 2004) (REUTERS – Access all) (MUTE) 1. STILL PHOTO OF LEBRON JAMES SLAM DUNKS FOR TWO OF HIS 33 POINTS DURING THE NBA ALL-STAR ROOKIE CHALLENGE DENVER, COLORADO, UNITED STATES (FILE – FEBRUARY 20, 2005) (REUTERS – Access all) (MUTE) 2. STILL PHOTO OF JAMES GOING UP FOR A DUNK DURING SECOND HALF ACTION OF THE 54TH NBA ALL-STAR GAME SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, UNITED STATES (FILE – FEBRUARY 19, 2023) (USA TODAY SPORTS – Mandatory credit: “USA TODAY Sports) (MUTE) 3. STILL PHOTO OF JAMES GOING UP FOR A DUNK DURING THE 2023 NBA ALL-STAR GAME CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES (FILE – FEBRUARY 15, 2020) (REUTERS Access all) 4. JAMES TAKING A SHOT DURING PRACTICE AHEAD OF THE 2015 ALL-STAR GAME SHANGHAI, CHINA (FILE – OCTOBER 16, 2007) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS – Access all) 5. VARIOUS OF JAMES DURING CLEVELAND CAVALIERS TRAINING  MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, UNITED STATES (FILE – NOVEMBER 8, 2011) (REUTERS – Access all) 6. JAMES SHOOTING DURING PRE-GAME PRACTICE 7. JAMES IN ACTION DURING EXHIBITION GAME  MIAMI, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES (FILE – DECEMBER 9, 2011) (REUTERS – Access all) 8. JAMES MISSING A JUMP SHOT DURING MIAMI HEAT TRAINING LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FILE – FEBRUARY 7, 2023) (REUTERS – Access all) 9. JAMES DOING TV INTERVIEW SURROUNDED BY REPORTERS AFTER END OF LAKERS GAME IN WHICH HE SET NEW NBA ALL-TIME SCORING RECORD 10. JAMES ON COURT AFTER GAME SPEAKING TO PEOPLE & WALKING PAST CAMERA LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FILE – SEPTEMBER 29, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 11. JAMES WALKING AMONGST MEDIA DURING LOS ANGELES LAKERS MEDIA DAY  SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FILE – FEBRUARY 15, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 12. PLAYERS GOING THROUGH SHOOTING DRILLS AHEAD OF 2025 NBA ALL-STAR GAME  13. BALL GOING THROUGH NET  SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FEBRUARY 13, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 14. NBA LOGO ON COURT 15. VIEW OF COURT FOR 2025 NBA ALL-STAR GAME 16. ALL-STAR 2025 SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA BRANDING ON ELECTRONIC ADVERTISING BOARD 17. HOOP & BACKBOARD STORY: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James will not be in the opening lineup when the NBA All-Star Game tips off next month, ending a record 21-year run in which he was selected as a starter. The NBA announced on Monday (January 19) the 10 players voted as starters for the mid-season showcase, and James was notably absent from the starting lineup for the first time since his rookie campaign. James sat out last year's All-Star Game due to foot and ankle discomfort, which marked the first time he had been selected but did not play in the star-studded event. Fans accounted for 50% of the vote to determine the 2026 starters, while current NBA players and a media panel each accounted for 25%. James, a four-time NBA champion and the league's all-time leading scorer, faced an uphill battle to be voted a starter after a disrupted start to the season in which he was sidelined for the first 14 games with sciatica. The injury layoff proved costly, as James struggled to find his rhythm upon returning to action. The 21-year streak represented one of the most remarkable runs of sustained excellence in the NBA, spanning James's time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Lakers across multiple decades. Despite the snub, James can still earn selection as a reserve. NBA coaches will determine the final seven players from each conference and their selections will be revealed on February 1. The All-Star Game, which this year will mark the debut of the U.S. vs. World format, will take place on February 15 at the home of the Los Angeles Clippers. Five players from each conference were honored as starters, with Stephen Curry (Golden State), Luka Doncic (Lakers), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City), Nikola Jokic (Denver) and Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio) selected from the Western Conference. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee), Jaylen Brown (Boston), Jalen Brunson (New York), Cade Cunningham (Detroit) and Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia) were selected from the Eastern Conference. (Production: Lucy Nicholson, Stefan Haskins)

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