Is Bronny James playing during NBA All-Star weekend? Lakers rookie makes choice
The spotlight put on Bronny James during his rookie NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers won't converge with the league's 2025 All-Star weekend ‒ at least not in an official capacity. The son of LeBron James appears to be taking a different approach than father did when it comes to his first season as an NBA player.
LeBron James was a rookie the last time an NBA All-Star game occurred without him involved and he now holds the record for appearances. He'll play in his 21st all-star game Sunday in San Francisco, a mark that began in 2005. But in 2004, the only time he didn't make the all-star game, LeBron James nonetheless appeared in the Rising Stars Challenge featuring the league's top rookies and sophomores.
Bronny James won't do the same, nor is he on the same trajectory as his father at the start of his NBA career. LeBron James was named NBA Rookie of the Year and had a legitimate argument as an all-star snub in 2004. Bronny James has bounced between the NBA and G League, with mostly middling results and scarce playing time for the Los Angeles Lakers and increasingly encouraging appearances for the South Bay Lakers.
Here's what to know about Bronny James' status for All-Star weekend, as well as the schedule of events and how to watch the 2025 NBA All-Star game:
Is Bronny James playing during NBA All-Star weekend?
No. Bronny James is not slated to play during NBA All-Star weekend and that appears to be his decision, not one made by the NBA.
James elected not to appear in Friday's Rising Stars Challenge despite being invited as a G League standout, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes, who also reported that LeBron and Bronny James turned down a spot in the NBA skills competition scheduled for All-Star Saturday night at the Chase Center in San Francisco. They would have been the first father-son duo to participate in the event after becoming the first father-son duo to appear in an NBA game together during the Lakers' season opener.
Bronny James stats
Bronny James' appearances with the Los Angeles Lakers this season have been sporadic. He has played in 17 of the Lakers' 52 games. He's averaging 1.4 points, 0.5 assists, 0.4 rebounds and 0.2 steals per game. He is shooting 7 of 28 overall from the field. James' best appearance came in the Lakers' last game before the All-Star break, when he finished with 9 points on 3 of 4 shooting from the field and hit two 3-pointers.
James is averaging 17.3 points, 4.1 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game in 12 G League appearances with the South Bay Lakers. He's shooting 39.7% from the field, including 31.1% from 3-point range.
2025 NBA All-Star schedule
All times Eastern.
Friday, Feb. 14:
- NBA All-Star Celebrity Game at the Oakland Arena, 7 p.m.
- Rising Stars at Chase Center, 9 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 15:
- NBA All-Star practice at the Oakland Arena, 2 p.m.
- NBA HBCU Classic at Oakland Arena, 5 p.m.
- All-Star Saturday night at Chase Center, 8 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 16:
- NBA All-Star Game at Chase Center, 8 p.m.
How to watch 2025 NBA All-Star Game
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 16
- Time: 8 p.m.
- Location: Chase Center (San Francisco)
- TV: TNT, truTV
- Stream: Max, Sling
Watch the NBA All-Star Game with Sling
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