LeBron, Bronny James Decline Historic NBA All-Star Weekend Opportunity

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — LeBron James and his son Bronny James have turned down a historic opportunity to compete together at the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend, according to reports. The father-son duo declined invitations to participate in the Skills Challenge and the Rising Stars Challenge, respectively, marking a missed chance for a groundbreaking on-court moment.

LeBron, a 20-time NBA All-Star, and Bronny, a rookie with the Los Angeles Lakers, were invited to compete in the Skills Challenge as the first father-son pair in the event’s history. Bronny also received an offer to join the Rising Stars Challenge, which features the league’s top young talent. Both declined, though the reasons remain unclear.

Had they accepted, the James duo would have made history during All-Star Saturday Night on Feb. 15. LeBron has never participated in any All-Star Saturday Night event, despite years of fan and media speculation about his potential involvement in the dunk contest. In 2009, he hinted at a possible appearance but later revealed in 2023 that it would never happen.

Bronny’s decision to decline the Rising Stars Challenge is particularly surprising, given the event’s potential to showcase his skills on a national stage. The Rising Stars Challenge winner competes in the All-Star Game mini-tournament, which could have set up a potential father-son matchup. The 2025 All-Star Game will feature a new format, with 24 All-Stars divided into three teams of eight and a fourth team composed of Rising Stars winners.

LeBron and Bronny made history earlier this season when they became the first father-son duo to play together in an NBA game during the Lakers’ season opener in October. Bronny, a second-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, has appeared in 11 games for the Lakers this season, averaging 14.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists with the South Bay Lakers, the team’s G League affiliate.

The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend will take place at the Chase Center in San Francisco, home of the Golden State Warriors. The All-Star Game is scheduled for Feb. 16, with TNT‘s “Inside the NBA” crew set to reveal the starters and reserves in late January.