LeBron James pulled some blowback on Sunday night as he announced 90 minutes before the NBA All-Star game was set to tip-off, which he would refrain from playing in it over a foot problem.
The Los Angeles Lakers star said he would miss the mini tournament with discomfort in the foot and ankle. It ended his line of 20 consecutive All-Star Game appearances. TNT -host seemed to be shaken by the late decision from James.
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Golden State Warrior’s Forward Draymond Green, #23, is preparing to shoot as Cleveland Cavaliers Guard Donovan Mitchell, #45, looks under Skills Challenge at NBA Basketball All-Star Saturday Night Festivities on Saturday 15 February 2025 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
“I think ‘Bron Kana helped someone else out and said this earlier,” said Golden State Warrior’s Frem Daymond Green, via terrible advertising.
Former NBA star Jalen Rose added that James “took a guards’ place from someone.”
It was the first time James had missed an all-star game since 2004. He was ready to play for Team Shaquille O’Neal in All-Star Game’s new competition format. The team was then down to seven players – Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard and James Harden.
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Los Angeles Lakers Forward LeBron James speaks during a press conference before the NBA Basketball All-Star game on Sunday 16 February 2025 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
“I hoped it would feel much better this morning, but that’s not where I want it to be,” James said. “And with 30 games back and with us trying to make an endgame in the wild, wild, west, I feel like it’s very important for me to kind of take care of myself and understand what’s coming .
“So I wouldn’t say it’s maintenance, but it’s maintenance,” he said. “At the same time, I have to look for myself when it comes to this to this injury I have been treating for years.”
James said he will resume rehabbing of the damage on Monday and hoped to play Wednesday as Lakers returns from the break to compete against Charlotte Hornets.
Shaqs Ogs player LeBron James, #23, sits in court in street clothes under Game 2 in the NBA All-Star game at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sunday 16 February 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP)
He average 24.3 points, 9 assists and 7.7 rebounds per Match this season.
