For the first time in over two decades, the NBA All-Star Game will tip off without LeBron James in the starting lineup - a sentence that would’ve sounded unthinkable not long ago. From 2005 through 2025, LeBron was a fixture among the starting five, earning 21 consecutive All-Star starts - a streak that became as much a part of the midseason classic as the sneakers and the slam dunks.
That run officially came to an end on Monday.
James, now in his 21st season, won’t be among the starters when the league’s best take the floor at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles on February 15. It’s the first time since his rookie year in 2003-04 that he hasn’t been voted in as a starter - and that alone speaks volumes about the longevity and consistency of his greatness.
Let’s put that in perspective. The last time LeBron wasn’t an All-Star starter, the Cleveland Cavaliers were still trying to find their footing with a teenage phenom fresh out of high school, and the Eastern Conference starting five featured Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Jermaine O’Neal, and Ben Wallace.
Over in the West? Steve Francis, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, and Yao Ming.
That’s not just a blast from the past - it’s a snapshot of a different era entirely.
This year, the fans went in a different direction. And while James still has a shot to make the roster as a reserve - a decision now in the hands of NBA coaches - the shift is a reminder that even the most iconic runs eventually reach a turning point.
That’s not to say LeBron isn’t still producing. He’s averaging 22.6 points per game this season - the lowest mark since his rookie campaign, yes, but still a level of output most players would dream of in Year 21. And beyond the numbers, he continues to be the engine that keeps the Lakers moving, showing flashes of brilliance that remind us why he’s been the face of the league for so long.
But the All-Star Game has always been as much about the moment as the résumé. And right now, a new generation is making its case. The league is deeper with talent than ever before, and the competition for those coveted starting spots is fierce.
Still, LeBron’s absence from the starting lineup doesn’t erase what he’s meant to the game - or what he still brings to the court. It just marks a new chapter in a career that’s already rewritten the record books and redefined what longevity looks like in professional sports.
So while the streak may be over, the story isn’t. Not yet.