The NBA released its All-Star starters Monday, and for the first time in what feels like forever, LeBron James was not on the list.
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The omission was the headline. James has been selected to 21 All-Star Games and started every one of them since 2005. This year, he never seriously threatened to crack the Western Conference starting five. A sciatica issue cost him the first 14 games of the season, and once he returned, the rhythm was slow to follow.
His streak of 1,297 consecutive games with at least 10 points also came to an end last month in Toronto. Now, his All-Star fate rests with the coaches when reserves are announced Sunday.
Out West, Luka Doncic led the fan voting and was joined by Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama and Stephen Curry. Curry earns his 12th All Star selection while averaging 27.6 points per game as he approaches his 38th birthday.
In the East, Giannis Antetokounmpo topped the voting and headlines a group that includes Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Maxey, Cade Cunningham and Jaylen Brown. Antetokounmpo is putting up another monster season statistically, even with Milwaukee currently sitting outside the East playoff picture.
Doncic returns to the All-Star stage after missing last year with a calf injury and is averaging 33.3 points per game. Jokic was flirting with triple-double averages again before missing time with a knee bone bruise. Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, continues to anchor the league-leading Thunder, while Wembanyama earns his first All-Star start in just his second season.
This year's game will feature a Team USA versus the World format, with three total rosters. If needed, commissioner Adam Silver can add players to ensure the balance requirements are met.
Five American and five international players made up Monday's starters. The rest comes Sunday, and James is still very much part of the conversation.
