SAN FRANCISCO — LeBron James’ historic run is over.
James, who was slated to play in a record 21st All-Star Game, will sit out with continued left ankle and foot soreness.
His record for consecutive starts ends at 20, as he will miss an All-Star Game for the first time in which he had been chosen to play. He was not tapped in his rookie year.
‘With 30 games left and us trying to make a playoff push in the wild, wild West, I feel like it’s important for me to take care of myself and understand what’s coming on,’ James, 40, said during a news conference before Sunday’s game. ‘I don’t want to say it’s maintenance — well, it is maintenance — but at the same time, it’s like, I have to look out for myself when it comes to this injury that I’ve been dealing with for years.’
James missed a game Feb. 8 against the Indiana Pacers with the same issue.
The Lakers are 32-20 and in fifth place in the Western Conference, just a ½ game behind fourth-place Houston, 2½ games behind third-place Denver and three games behind second-place Memphis.
The Los Angeles Lakers will play the Charlotte Hornets in a game rescheduled because of the California wildfires, which was another reason James cited for his decision to sit out the All-Star Game.
‘I hope to be available on Wednesday,’ James continued. ‘We have to have a makeup game. So, I am headed back to L.A. tonight. There will be no vacation for me, so I head back to LA tonight and back to rehab tomorrow and getting ready for practice on Tuesday, and hopefully I can play against Charlotte on Wednesday and hopefully play against Portland on Thursday. It’s a big stretch for us.’
The league is introducing a new format into the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, depending on players to deliver a competitive event that satisfies commissioner Adam Silver, fans and the league’s partners.
Given the timing of James’ announcement, there will be no replacement to fill his spot on the team drafted by TNT analyst and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, Shaq’s OGs — a team comprised mostly of veteran players with several All-Star appearances.
Across his 20 All-Star Game appearances, James has averaged 21.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game.
