When the NBA reveals its 2026 All-Star Game starters on Monday, a name that has been synonymous with the event for over two decades will be conspicuously absent. LeBron James, the player many consider the greatest of all time, will not be among the starting five, putting his unprecedented 21-consecutive-year All-Star streak in serious jeopardy.

The significance of this moment cannot be overstated. Since 2005, when a 20-year-old James earned his first All-Star nod in just his second professional season, the basketball world has grown accustomed to seeing his name on the roster. Through four different teams, four championships, and countless individual accolades, one constant remained: LeBron James was an All-Star. That streak now hangs by a thread.

If James fails to secure a selection as a reserve when coaches cast their votes, it would mark only the second time in his remarkable 23-year career that he has missed the midseason showcase. The first and only other instance came during his rookie campaign in 2003-2004, when the 18-year-old phenom was still introducing himself to the league.

The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend carries additional weight this year, as it returns to Los Angeles for a celebration scheduled from February 13-15. The event will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock, sharing the spotlight with the Winter Olympics in a rare convergence of major sporting events. For James, who has called Los Angeles home since joining the Lakers, missing the All-Star Game in his own city would add a layer of irony to an already historic moment.

At 41 years of age, James continues to defy the natural aging curve that has humbled so many great athletes before him. He remains a productive player in the league, contributing on both ends of the floor with a basketball IQ that seems to sharpen even as his physical gifts inevitably diminish. Yet Father Time, as James himself has often acknowledged, remains undefeated.

The potential end of this streak invites reflection on just how extraordinary the run has been. Twenty-one consecutive All-Star selections means that for more than two decades, fans, players, and coaches consistently recognized James as one of the premier talents in basketball. It spans eras, from the mid-2000s battles with the Pistons and Spurs, through the Heat dynasty, the Cleveland championship, and his Lakers tenure. Few accomplishments in sports history can match this sustained excellence.

There remains a possibility, however slim, that James could still earn a reserve spot through the coaches voting process. His legacy and continued contributions to the game could sway some votes his way. But the fact that this is even a question marks a turning point in basketball history.

Whether this streak ends in 2026 or extends for another year, the accomplishment stands as a testament to longevity that may never be replicated. In an era of load management and shortened careers, LeBron James has been a constant presence at the highest level of his sport for nearly a quarter century.

Monday's announcement will tell us whether the King still holds his throne among the stars, or whether a new chapter in his legendary career is about to begin.