Although the 2025-26 season has been solid for LeBron James, especially with the Los Angeles Lakers sitting in fourth place in the stacked Western Conference, he has seen one incredible record halted: his remarkable double-figure scoring streak, which ended at 1,297 in a win over the Toronto Raptors earlier this month.
It also stands to reason that LeBron’s current streak of consecutive All-NBA Team selections might end at 21 this season, given that he’s averaging only 18.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. Additionally, according to Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett, another record may also be broken this season: LeBron’s streak of All-Star selections.
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LeBron won’t be an All-Star this year
Aside from being one of the most prolific superstars in NBA history, LeBron is also one of the most popular, which explains why he has been named an All-Star in all but one of his 22 seasons. The only time that the 6’9″ forward was not picked to play in the annual shindig was during his rookie year in the 2003-04 season, when he played in the 2004 NBA Rookie Challenge.
Garnett argued that, given LeBron’s decision to decline playing in the All-Star Game last season due to an injury, he might repeat the same move this season. This means fans will only be wasting their vote on a player who KG believes would rather rest during the All-Star break than expend energy in the newly reformed All-Star format that would pit American All-Stars against the best in the world.
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“LeBron didn’t even play in the All-Star Game last year. Bron is not in the All-Star Game this year,” KG asserted. “For what? Bron does not want to play in the All-Star game!”
The Big Ticket even went so far as to suggest to voters that they give their vote to someone other than King James.
“So listen, all you people out there that’s going to vote for Bron, save your vote. He didn’t play in it last year. Why would you expect him to play?” Garnett remarked.
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Nobody can blame LeBron, though, for hesitating to participate in an event that has lacked the luster and competitiveness of years past. The All-Star game has become more like a glorified exhibition than a showcase of the league’s best players.
Given that LeBron will be turning 41 at the end of 2026, it’s more prudent for him to let his body recover and prepare for the regular season’s final stretch than to risk injury in a meaningless game.
Austin Reaves will be an All-Star
One Lakers stud that KG is confident will be a staple in the All-Star game for years to come is Austin Reaves. The undrafted guard has come a long way from Newark, Arkansas, to becoming the undisputed number two on the Purple and Gold, right behind Luka Doncic and undoubtedly ahead of LeBron.
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“My boy on the Lakers — what’s his name? Reaves. AR. He definitely is,” Garnett proclaimed.
After serving as a complementary player on the Lakers in his first four seasons, AR has busted out this season, delivering memorable performances early in the season while LeBron and Luka were out with injuries. And even with the two back in the lineup, Reaves has kept his foot on the pedal, averaging 27.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game, earning rightful All-Star buzz around the league.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Dec 20, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.