LeBron James snubbed as an NBA All-Star Game starter for first time in 21 years
The 10 starters comprise of five players from the Western Conference and five from the Eastern Conference
LeBron James’ 21-year NBA All-Star Game starting streak came to an end on Tuesday after the Los Angeles Lakers star was excluded from the 10 starters named for next month’s midseason showpiece.
The 41-year-old NBA icon, who has been named as an All-Star starter in every season since 2005, was the biggest omission from this year’s event, at the Los Angeles Clippers’ Intuit Dome on February 15.
The 10 starters – five from the Western Conference and five from the Eastern Conference – will be joined by 14 players selected by the All-Star Game coaches.
The Western Conference starters include James’ Lakers teammate Luka Doncic and Oklahoma City Thunder’s reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Golden State’s Stephen Curry, the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic and the San Antonio Spurs’ French prodigy Victor Wembanyama complete the West’s starters, chosen by a vote from fans, players and media.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo led the voting for the Eastern Conference starters. Antetokounmpo is joined by the New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson, Detroit Pistons ace Cade Cunningham, Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey and Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown.