Tim BontempsJan 19, 2026, 02:49 PM ETCloseTim Bontemps is a senior NBA writer for ESPN. com who covers the league and what's impacting it on and off the court, including trade deadline intel, expansion and his MVP Straw Polls. You can find Tim alongside Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon on The Hoop Collective podcast. Follow on XEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe NBA announced its starters for next month's All-Star Game on Monday -- and, for the first time in a generation, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James wasn't listed among them. His teammate Luka Doncic led the Western Conference voting and was joined by Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo topped the voting in the East and will be joined by New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham and Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown. But the biggest news of the selection process was the omission of James, who has been selected to and named a starter for a record 21 All-Star Games in his career -- every one since the 2005 game in Denver.
