LeBron James has been voted into the NBA All-Star game in each of the last 21 seasons, but he won’t be qualifying for the February 2026 contest. Taking his roster spot this year could be his Los Angeles Lakers teammate, as Austin Reaves is performing well enough to receive the honors for the first time.
No All-Star Game For LeBron James; Will Austin Reaves Take His Place?
Statistically, Reaves has made the leap every contender’s role player hopes for. His scoring, play making, and efficiency sit among the league’s best, with his 29.3 points per game average ranking 5th among all players. His numbers are up all across the board, as his 6.8 assists and 5.5 rebounds are both career highs. Additionally, he’s been a main catalyst for a team that has spent the early part of the year near the top of the Western Conference standings.
Austin Reaves had 44 points
LeBron James had 8 pointsCrazy how far we've come from this moment. pic.twitter.com/Hyt0il5i7Y
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) December 5, 2025
Narrative matters in All-Star voting, and Reaves has a strong one. He’s the undrafted underdog turned primary creator on one of the league’s marquee franchises, and he’s done it while the Lakers juggle injuries and roster shifts. There are still more than two months left before voting is closed, meaning that things are subject to change, but there are few players in the league who have been better so far in 2025-26.
James May Be Declining As Reaves Is Ascending
That storyline intersects with LeBron James’ availability this season. He has dealt with sciatica and early-season load management, missing substantial time thus far. And he hasn’t been all that effective when healthy, as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer’s points per game average is down to 14.0. The time missed combined with the sharp decline in production means that James won’t be in the All-Star locker room this year, which opens up a spot on the roster that has been occupied for the last two decades.
Enter: Austin Reaves.
Lakers announce LeBron has been dealing with left foot joint arthritis in addition to his right sciatica
Bron is doubtful to play vs. the Celtics pic.twitter.com/LaJJVE9sTR
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 5, 2025
The Lakers are currently 16-6 and sitting in third place in the Western Conference. James has been in and out of the lineup with various injuries, and Luka Doncic has missed the last two games while attending the birth of his child in Europe.
It has been Reaves carrying the load all season long, and especially lately. In the Lakers’ last six games, Reaves has scored 30+ five times, including a 44-point effort in Thursday’s game against the Toronto Raptors. They’ll play four of their next five games on the road, and it is unclear when James intends to return from his latest ailment.
