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“The King” left out of the starting lineup for the All-Star Game

A major announcement surprised fans of the National Basketball Association, with the absence of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James from the starting lineup for the All-Star Game scheduled for next month.

This absence is not a mere passing detail, but carries significant symbolic meaning, as it brings to an end a 22-year run in which “The King” was always present among the starting five in the league’s most important mid-season showcase.

James’ omission for the first time since the start of his professional career has drawn widespread attention and sparked considerable debate and questions. For more than two decades, “The King” had never been missing from this scene — whether with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, or Los Angeles Lakers — making his exclusion this time a historic event in its own right.

James experienced an exceptional situation in last year’s All-Star Game, when he was selected but forced to miss the game due to foot and ankle pain, a first in his career. What sets this season apart, however, is his absence from the starting lineup itself, an indicator of the increasing level of competition, the impact of injuries, and the shifting balance of voting power across the league.

The selection of starters for the All-Star Game is based on a combined voting system, with fans accounting for 50 percent of the vote, while current players and a media panel share the remaining 50 percent, split evenly at 25 percent each.

Injuries weigh on “The King”

As for the current season, James’ chances were not straightforward under this system, especially after a difficult start. He missed his team’s first 14 games due to sciatica, an absence that had a direct impact on his rhythm and required additional time to regain his usual form.

Although he later returned to action, the effects of that absence were evident, both in terms of individual performance and the sustained on-court presence fans have long associated with him.

James is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in basketball history, having won four NBA championships and become the league’s all-time leading scorer, in addition to an extraordinary career spanning more than two decades at the highest possible level of competition. As such, the end of his 22-year streak as a starter represents a pivotal moment, no less significant than any of the achievements he has accumulated throughout his career.

Despite this exclusion, James’ participation in the All-Star Game remains possible, as league coaches retain the right to select seven reserve players from each conference. These selections are expected to be announced in early February, leaving the door open to seeing “The King” take part in the event, even if this time from the bench.

The All-Star Game is scheduled to take place on February 15 at the Los Angeles Clippers’ arena, in an edition that will feature a historic change in format. For the first time, the game will be played as a matchup between a team representing the United States and another representing the world’s stars, reflecting the NBA’s growing global character.

The Western Conference lineup includes a host of standout names, led by Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, Lakers standout Luka Dončić, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver’s Serbian star Nikola Jokić, and San Antonio’s exceptional talent Victor Wembanyama.

The Eastern Conference lineup, meanwhile, is headed by Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo, alongside Boston’s Jaylen Brown, New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, and Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey.

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