LeBron James injury update: NBA star to miss Met Gala with knee issue

LeBron James, who was revealed to have a knee injury following the Los Angeles Lakers’ Game 5 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, will miss the Met Gala. James cited his knee injury as to why he won’t be able to attend.

Once the Lakers were eliminated in the first round, the injury report on James came out. It was said if the Lakers actually forced Game 6, “The King” would not have been able to play.

There’s currently no expectation for James to retire now that season No. 23 is done. But he won’t be at the Met Gala due to this injury as he released a statement on social media.

“Unfortunately because of my knee injury I sustained at the end of the season I won’t be able to attend the Met Gala in NY tonight as so many people have been asking and congratulating me on!,” James wrote on Twitter. “Hate to miss an historical event! My beautiful powerful Queen will be there holding the castle down as she always has done!”

It appears his wife will be at the event, holding it down for the James family. Meanwhile, he’ll be rehabbing the injury and look to what’s next for Los Angeles next season.

ESPN’s Shams Charania discussed what’s next for James, following the exit of the Los Angeles Lakers out of the NBA Playoffs with a 4-1 series loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, while on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ on Thursday. It’s something to keep an eye on, but at the moment, there’s nothing to suggest that James won’t be back next season in the NBA.

“That’s the other big elephant in the room for the Lakers…Yeah, I mean, for sure. How long is LeBron James going to play?” Charania thought. “There’s no expectation for LeBron James to retire. I will say that. My sense, my understanding is he will play at least another NBA season. The expectation is he’s going to be playing at least another season. But, again, how long?”

James, at 40 years old, just averaged 24.4 points (51.3% FG, 37.6% 3PT), 8.2 assists, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game in leading the Lakers to a 50-32 record during his seventh season with the franchise. That earned his 21st honor All-Star nod with him likely to earn a 21st selection soon as All-NBA, both of which are league records. LA, however, is done after the first round for the second consecutive postseason. This is the fourth time in five years since winning the title that they’ll either miss the playoffs or not advance beyond the opening series.

However, coming off a season playing with son Bronny James, Charania noted the factor of his other son in Bryce James. Bryce will be a freshman at Arizona next season and, if he were to have a chance to be selected in the 2026 NBA Draft, James could play into ’26-’27 and complete the family affair.