LeBron James Misses NBA All-Star Game, Ending 20-Year Streak of Starts<\/p>\n
LeBron James had hoped to play in another All-Star Game, but his left foot and ankle injuries prevented it.<\/p>\n
About 90 minutes before the game on Sunday, the NBA\u2019s all-time scoring leader announced that he couldn\u2019t participate, citing ongoing issues with his injuries. James has frequently appeared on the Los Angeles Lakers’ injury report this season due to his foot and ankle problems, which have been a persistent issue for years.<\/p>\n
For the first time since 2004, an All-Star Game took place without James. \u201cI hate that,\u201d James commented.<\/p>\n
James was set to play for Shaquille O\u2019Neal’s OGs, a team drafted by Shaq for this year’s mini-tournament format. James’ first All-Star Game was in 2005, and he had been selected every year since, so Sunday\u2019s game would have marked his 21st appearance, extending his own record. His 21 selections are another record, as is his previously unbroken streak of 20 consecutive All-Star starts.<\/p>\n
James wasn’t replaced on his team\u2019s roster, leaving seven players: Stephen Curry of Golden State, Kyrie Irving of Dallas, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown of Boston, Kevin Durant of Phoenix, Damian Lillard of Milwaukee, and James Harden of the Los Angeles Clippers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was hoping it would feel better this morning, but it\u2019s not where I want it to be,\u201d James said. \u201cWith 30 games left and our playoff push in the wild West, I need to take care of myself and focus on what\u2019s ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t call it maintenance, but it is,\u201d he continued. \u201cI have to look after myself with this injury I\u2019ve been dealing with for years.\u201d<\/p>\n
James planned to return to Los Angeles that night to continue his rehab on Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo vacation for me,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
James hopes to play when the Lakers resume their schedule on Wednesday against Charlotte, a game rescheduled due to the Los Angeles wildfires.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope to be available on Wednesday,\u201d James said.<\/p>\n
Despite sitting out Sunday\u2019s game, James, at nearly 40 years old, continues to impress. He is averaging 24.3 points per game, his lowest at the break of any of his 21 All-Star seasons. That said, he’s also posting 9 assists (the second-highest pre-All-Star average of his career), 7.7 rebounds, and shooting nearly 40% on three-pointers.<\/p>\n
The only other player with at least 24.3 points, 9 assists, and 7.7 rebounds this season? Nikola Jokic of Denver.<\/p>\n
\u201c21 All-Star games? It\u2019s mind-boggling,\u201d Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said. \u201cLeBron could reach 25 if he wanted to. Every time we play him, we ask, \u2018How is he still getting better?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
James Discusses Lakers\u2019 Addition of Luka<\/p>\n
The Lakers traded for Luka Doncic earlier this month, and James is still processing how the new superstar duo will work together.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdding a player of Luka’s caliber, a generational talent, to our team has given me energy,\u201d James said. \u201cI\u2019m excited to see what we can do. If he continues to get in form, we could be really good down the stretch. But we\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n
No Regrets About Dunk Contest<\/p>\n
James was never part of the NBA\u2019s dunk contest and doesn\u2019t anticipate it happening in the final years of his career.<\/p>\n
After Mac McClung’s third straight dunk title on Saturday, stars like Ja Morant, Zach LaVine, and Giannis Antetokounmpo mentioned considering participation in future contests.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no regret on my part for not doing it,\u201d James said. \u201cI had moments when I thought about it, but it never worked out due to injuries or other reasons.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LeBron James Misses NBA All-Star Game, Ending 20-Year Streak of Starts LeBron James had hoped to play in another All-Star Game, but his left foot and ankle injuries prevented it. About 90 minutes before the game on Sunday, the NBA\u2019s all-time scoring leader announced that he couldn\u2019t participate, citing ongoing issues with his injuries. James […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25934,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2586],"tags":[60],"class_list":["post-25933","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lakers","tag-lebron-james"],"yoast_head":"\n