LeBron James’ 21-year all-star starter streak comes to an end

For the first time in more than two decades, LeBron James will not be among the starters in the NBA All-Star Game, officially bringing an end to his unprecedented 21-year streak as an All-Star starter. The announcement came Monday when the league revealed the full list of starters for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, and for the first time since 2005, James’ name was absent from the lineup.

James, now 41 and in his 23rd NBA season, has been selected to start the All-Star Game every year from 2005 through 2025, the longest such streak in modern league history. His run began early in his career and spanned multiple teams, MVP seasons, Finals runs and scoring titles – but this year’s fan and media vote fell short of keeping him in the top five for the Western Conference’s starting five.

While his exclusion ends the 21-year starter streak, James may still play in the All-Star Game as a reserve. These spots, determined by coaches’ votes, will be announced on Feb. 1, and James is widely expected to remain in the All-Star fold at least as a reserve, keeping his overall streak of NBA All-Star selections alive.

The shift reflects both the natural arc of James’ career – including missed time early this season due to sciatica and a slower start statistically – and the rise of a new generation of All-Star talent like Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama, who all earned their starters nods this cycle.

While he could still suit up as a reserve in 2026, the historic run of starter nods remains a defining testament to his longevity and impact on the game.