LeBron James dodges questions about his retirement by making his record 22nd All-Star Game appearance
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LeBron James wants to stay in the present; It is not yet focused on the future.
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar enjoyed playing in his 22nd All-Star Game on Sunday night at the Intuit Dome for Team Stripes in the revamped format the league implemented this season.
The media was curious to know if this would not only be his last All-Star Game, but his last season in the NBA, as the 41-year-old has yet to make a decision for the 2026-27 season.
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Team USA Stripes forward LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after game two during the 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome on Feb. 15, 2026. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
But, as he has said in the past, James still doesn’t know what he wants to do.
“I want to live,” he told reporters before playing the game. “When I know, you guys will know. I don’t know. I have no idea. I just want to live, that’s all.”
LEBRON JAMES ENDS HISTORIC 21-YEAR STREAK AFTER MISSING TOO MANY GAMES THIS SEASON
James was initially supposed to speak during Saturday’s availability, but he called his own press conference on Sunday, leading some to speculate that he was making a decision about his future.
Instead, it was nothing like that.
James’ 22nd All-Star Game appearance is an NBA record that continued on Sunday. While it is a given that he will be in the game every season he continues to play, James is still a high-impact player for the Lakers.
This season, James has played 36 games, averaging 22 points, 7.1 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game for the team in fifth place in the Western Conference.
Team USA Stripes forward LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers watches before kickoff of the 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome on Feb. 15, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Image Images)
James, however, snapped his streak of consecutive appearances on the All-NBA Team after 21 straight nods after missing his 18th game this season. James will not qualify for the minimum 65 games needed to be considered for league awards, according to the collective bargaining agreement.
For the first time since 2004, James will not be on any of those teams.
James’ legacy in the NBA needs no explanation. He holds multiple all-time records, including most points scored by a single player, which continues to increase depending on the game.
And although it seems that he can at least last one more season, speculation will continue to flourish as long as James does not give a definitive answer about his future. That speculation ranges from one more season with the Lakers to a retirement tour with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the hometown team with which he began his career and with which he won an NBA championship.
Team USA Stripes forward LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball in the fourth game against the Team Stars during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome on February 15, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Image Images)
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Until a decision is made, James hopes to help his Lakers reach the playoffs to chase another title in the City of Angels.
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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for News Digital.