LeBron James will not be a starter at the 2026 All-Star Game: a historic streak comes to an end

It’s the end of an era in NBA. For the first time in 21 years, LeBron James will not be a starter in the upcoming All-Star Game, which will nevertheless take place in his home city of Los Angeles. A historic streak that ends after more than two decades of popular dominance among fans.

The NBA announced Monday the starters for the 2026 All-Star Game, and the King’s name is not on the list. In the West, Luka Dončić (who received the most votes), Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama and Stephen Curry were chosen by the fans, media and players.

Three voting groups determined the starters for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game:

▪️ Fans (50%)
▪️ NBA players (25%)
▪️ Media panel (25%)

Complete voting results are available here: https://t.co/0YQtBsIaGp

Below are the overall rankings for the top finishers in each conference. pic.twitter.com/W21e8EOvpH

—NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 19, 2026

A logical absence from a sporting perspective

This non-selection among the starters is explained by a difficult season for the 41-year-old player. LeBron James missed the first 14 games of the season due to a sciatic issue, which disrupted his rhythm.

His current statistics of 22.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game are the « lowest » averages since his rookie season. We have to go back to the beginning of his career to find an All-Star Game without James as a starter—it was in 2004, during his first season, when he wasn’t selected at all.

Since 2005, the King had been selected as a starter for 21 consecutive All-Star Games, an absolute record that demonstrated his constant popularity despite criticism. This legendary streak, which had withstood all team changes and controversies, thus ends in 2026.

READ ALSO

LeBron James wears a special patch to celebrate his 23rd NBA season

Jan 12, 2026

Nicolas Flamecourt

Hope for selection among the reserves

All is not lost for LeBron James, who could still be selected among the reserves by the league’s coaches. The announcement will take place on Sunday, February 1, and his possible participation in a 22nd All-Star Game would remain a remarkable feat at 41 years old.

The unprecedented format of this 2026 edition, with a « USA versus the World » tournament featuring three teams (two American and one international), could even allow the King to find himself as a starter on one of the American teams. With 15 total starters instead of the usual 10, the chances of seeing LeBron on the Intuit Dome court on February 15 remain real.

This end of the streak symbolically marks the passing of the torch to a new generation, embodied notably by Victor Wembanyama who earns his first selection as a starter, or Luka Dončić who leads the popular vote.

READ ALSO

Isiah Thomas reignites the GOAT debate by choosing LeBron James over Michael Jordan

Jan 9, 2026

Nicolas Flamecourt