For the first time in his legendary 22-year career, LeBron James won’t be starting in the NBA All-Star Game - a streak that finally ends after two decades of dominance. While the news isn’t exactly shocking given the circumstances, it’s still a milestone moment in league history.
James, who missed the first 14 games of the 2025-26 season due to a bout with sciatica, has been working his way back into rhythm. He didn’t have the benefit of training camp or preseason, and at 41 years old, that kind of ramp-up matters.
But even with the slow start, it’s hard to ignore the sheer weight of what’s changing here: LeBron had been named an All-Star starter every year since 2005. That’s 21 straight selections - the most in NBA history.
The next closest? Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with 19.
Now, the only way James extends that All-Star streak is if the league’s coaches vote him in as a reserve. And while his recent play has looked much more like the LeBron we’re used to - averaging 22.6 points, 6.9 assists, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals on efficient .509/.328/.757 shooting - the odds aren’t exactly in his favor.
He’s missed 17 of the Lakers’ 41 games so far, and the Western Conference is loaded with talent this season. Availability matters, and so does team success.
Whether coaches give him the nod will say a lot about how much weight they put on legacy versus current production.
It’s worth noting that outside of his rookie year - when he still managed to win Rookie of the Year honors - James has made either the All-Star team or an All-NBA team every single season. That kind of consistency is unheard of in today’s NBA, or any era for that matter.
Ayton’s Perfect Night
While the spotlight was on LeBron’s All-Star streak, another Laker quietly made a little history of his own. Deandre Ayton, who sat out Saturday’s loss to Portland with left knee soreness, returned on Sunday and absolutely dominated in a win over Toronto. The big man went a perfect 10-for-10 from the field, racking up 25 points, 13 rebounds, and - impressively - zero turnovers.
That stat line isn't just clean, it’s unprecedented in Lakers history. According to ESPN Research, Ayton became the first Laker ever to score 25 or more points on 100% shooting with no turnovers since turnovers became an official stat in 1977-78. That’s a list that doesn’t include Magic, Kareem, or even Shaq.
Ayton also joins some rare company with that performance. He’s now one of just three Lakers to make 10 or more field goals without a miss while grabbing at least 10 boards.
The other two? Wilt Chamberlain and Mitch Kupchak.
Anytime you’re in a sentence with Wilt, you’ve done something right.
Warriors Short-Handed Again
Over in the Bay, the Warriors are still trying to find some stability - and they’ll be without key rotation pieces again Monday night against Miami. De’Anthony Melton is out for the front end of the back-to-back, and while his minutes have been limited (just 373 so far this season), his impact has been anything but.
When Melton’s on the floor, Golden State is outscoring opponents by a staggering +19.6 points per 100 possessions. When he’s off?
That net rating drops to -0.7. That kind of swing is hard to ignore, even in a small sample.
Melton missed most of last season and the early part of this one recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee, so the Warriors are understandably cautious with his workload. But the numbers show just how important he is when healthy.
Draymond Green will also miss Monday’s game, having been downgraded from questionable to out due to a right ankle sprain. For a Warriors team that’s been treading water, missing two defensive anchors in the same game is far from ideal.
Kings’ Streak Snapped, But Not Without Highlights
Meanwhile, Sacramento saw its four-game winning streak come to a halt with Sunday’s loss to Portland, but there’s still plenty to like about how the Kings have been playing. According to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee, the team’s recent run included some eye-catching stats - the kind that suggest this group is starting to click in ways we haven’t consistently seen.
The loss might sting, but the bigger picture in Sacramento remains encouraging. If they can build on the momentum from that win streak, they’re going to stay firmly in the mix out West.
Bottom Line
LeBron’s All-Star streak may be in jeopardy, but his impact on the game continues to be felt. Deandre Ayton is quietly carving out a niche in L.A., and the Warriors are learning just how valuable De’Anthony Melton can be.
The Kings, meanwhile, are showing signs of real growth. In a Western Conference that’s as deep and unpredictable as ever, every game - and every player’s availability - is starting to matter just a little bit more.