-
Dave McMenamin
SAN FRANCISCO — LeBron James will not play in the NBA All-Star Game, the Los Angeles Lakers forward said before the game Sunday, because of lingering discomfort in his left foot and ankle.
James, 40, missed the Lakers’ win over the Indiana Pacers last weekend because of the same injury.
“I was hoping it would feel a lot better this morning, but it was not where I wanted it to be,” James said of his ankle.
There will be no injury replacement for James in the All-Star Game, a league source told ESPN.
James said he “hoped” he will be available Wednesday in the Lakers’ first game out of the All-Star break against the Charlotte Hornets.
The Lakers are currently No. 5 in the Western Conference after winning 12 out of their past 15 games heading into the break.
“With 30 games left and us trying to make a playoff push in the wild, wild West, I felt like it was very important for me to kind of take care of myself and understand what’s coming on [down the stretch],” James said.
It will be the first All-Star game James has sat out in his career after being named a starter for a record 21st straight year in 2025.