LeBron James pulling out of All-Star an hour before tip-off has fans setting fuming: “No regret, no shame!”

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was to lead the OGs in his twenty-first appearance in the 2025 NBA All-Star game.

LeBron James pulling out of All-Star an hour before tip-off has fans setting fuming: “No regret, no shame!”

LeBron James will not play in 2025 NBA All-Star game

LeBron James has been the de facto face of the NBA for the past two decades. Over that time, he has been the symbol of excellence, which is why he was selected to play in the 2025 NBA All-Star game. Making his 21st appearance, the superstar was to lead the execution of NBA’s new format.

Heading into this game, he was selected as one of the starters alongside fellow Big 3 stars, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry. Those stars as a part of Shaquille O’Neal‘s OGs would face either of Charles Barkley‘s Global Stars, Kenny Smith‘s Young Stars or Candace Parker‘s Rising Stars.

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LeBron James practiced with his teammates as they looked towards a battle against those teams. The OGs are favored to win, as their experience and skill are second to none. However, when the Los Angeles Lakers superstar took to the pre-game press conference, he said this.

You won’t see anything from me tonight, unfortunately, I will not be in uniform tonight. Still dealing with ankle and foot discomfort, so I will not be playing tonight unfortunately. I hate that, but I’m looking forward to seeing the format. This is the first year for it. That should be fun.

LeBron James said

He mentioned that he was looking forward to battling his rookie Lakers teammate Dalton Knecht. With him not playing, he will have to battle against him in practice later on. However, that was not the most disappointing part of this last-minute withdrawal.

Fans shred LeBron James over last minute NBA All-Star game withdrawal

His last-minute withdrawal means that the NBA cannot bring in another player to replace him. Fans who were looking to watch the Big 3 of James, Durant and Curry play together again. This announcement disappointed them. Their Paris Olympics gold medal tour had fans wanting more.

However, with the oldest player in the league out, that idea is moot. The selection of some of the starters in Shaq’s OGs has already garnered criticism. Now with this latest news, fans were not having it as they took to social media to berate LeBron James for his late announcement.

The OGs could have a hard time winning without their most important playmaker, the four-time league MVP. If the team ends up losing, fans might go a second round bashing the 40-year-old. But it seems he does not want to risk aggravating the injury as his season with the Los Angeles Lakers is far more important.