LeBron James has officially been omitted from the NBA All-Star starters list for the first time since 2004. This marks the end of his remarkable 21-year streak of being named a starter in the annual showcase.
Context of LeBron James’ Omission
This decision comes after an injury-plagued season for James, resulting in his absence from critical early games. He missed the first 14 games due to sciatica and other foot and ankle injuries, which hindered his ability to regain form quickly.
Selection Process for All-Star Starters
The NBA revealed the 10 players who made the All-Star starting lineup for 2026 on a Monday. The selection process comprised several components:
- Fan votes: 50%
- Current NBA player votes: 25%
- Media panel votes: 25%
All-Star Game Details
Despite being left out of the starting lineup, there is still an opportunity for James. He can be chosen as a reserve, with NBA coaches selecting the final seven players from each conference. These selections will be disclosed on February 1.
The NBA All-Star Game will be held on February 15 at the venue of the Los Angeles Clippers. This year’s game is especially noteworthy as it introduces the US vs. World format for the first time.
Notable All-Star Selections
This year’s All-Star starters include a mix of emerging stars and seasoned veterans:
- Western Conference:
- Stephen Curry (Golden State)
- Luka Doncic (Dallas)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City)
- Nikola Jokic (Denver)
- Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio)
- Eastern Conference:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee)
- Jaylen Brown (Boston)
- Jalen Brunson (New York)
- Cade Cunningham (Detroit)
- Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia)
As the 2025-26 NBA season progresses, fans eagerly await further developments, particularly for James and his potential return to the All-Star honors. Tune into El-Balad for live coverage of the NBA season.
