Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James was named to the 2026 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night, extending his league record to 22 career selections.
Coaches voted the 41-year-old in as a reserve, marking the first time he will come off the bench in the mid-season showcase. James has appeared in every All-Star Game since his second NBA season.
The four-time MVP missed 14 games at the start of the year and required additional time to reach full speed after skipping training camp, leading to slightly lower averages than usual. Despite the early absence, he has produced All-Star-level numbers in recent weeks, prompting coaches around the league to include him on the roster.
Moments after the announcement, James reacted with a brief message on social media: “Blessed. Honored.” He later elaborated in the locker room following the Lakers’ loss to the New York Knicks, calling the recognition “super humbling” and thanking coaches for acknowledging his play “at this latter stage” of his career.
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game is scheduled for Feb. 15 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, meaning James will compete just a few miles from Crypto.com Arena. Teammate Luka Doncic, the leading overall fan vote-getter, was selected as a starter. Because the league has adopted a new three-team USA vs. World format for this year’s event, James and Doncic will suit up for different squads.
James downplayed the end of his streak as an All-Star starter, saying recently that he would be “grateful” to participate in any capacity and would make productive use of the break if he were not selected.
The veteran forward now prepares for his 22nd appearance in the exhibition, continuing a role he has long embraced as one of the league’s most visible ambassadors.
Source: LakersNation.com
