LeBron James, the NBA superstar whoâs as much a family man as a basketball legend, had fans buzzing when he announced heâd miss tonightâs Met Gala, May 5, 2025, due to a knee injury. The Los Angeles Lakers icon, named honorary co-chair for the star-studded fashion event, was set to make his first-ever appearance at the Metropolitan Museum of Artâs Costume Institute benefit. But a Grade 2 MCL sprain from the Lakersâ playoff exit last week kept him sidelined, leaving his wife, Savannah James, to shine on the red carpet. Hereâs how LeBronâs absence turned heads and sparked support for his recovery.
A Tough Call for a Big Night
LeBron, 40, was poised to steal the show at the Met Gala with his exhibit, themed âSuperfine: Tailoring Black Style,â alongside co-chairs like A$AP Rocky and Lewis Hamilton. His excitement for the event, announced by Vogue in October 2024, had fans hyped for his fashion debut. But on X today, he shared the tough news: âUnfortunately because of my knee injury I sustained at the end of the season I wonât be able to attend the Met Gala in NY tonight,â he posted, adding that Savannah would âhold the castle down.â The injury, a sprain from a collision with Timberwolvesâ Donte DiVincenzo in Game 5 on April 30, needs three to five weeks to heal, per USA Today.Â
Savannah Steps Up
With LeBron out, Savannah became the nightâs star for the James family. Known for her elegance, she was expected to dazzle the red carpet, embodying the themeâs celebration of Black style. âMy beautiful powerful Queen will be there,â LeBron said on X. LeBronâs decision to prioritize recovery didnât dim his support for the eventâhe collaborated with Pharrell Williams and others on the exhibit, as Page Six noted. His absence, alongside stars like Sarah Jessica Parker, only amplified the buzz around Savannahâs moment.
A Championâs Resilience
LeBronâs knee sprain, sustained in the Lakersâ 103-96 loss to Minnesota, marked a rough end to a stellar season where he averaged 24.4 points and 8.2 assists, per ESPN. Despite the setback, heâs staying upbeat, focusing on rehab to return stronger for his 22nd NBA season. âHate to miss an historical event!â he told fans, as BuzzFeed reported, showing his passion for the galaâs cultural impact. X users praised his grit, with one saying, âLeBronâs a champ on and off the courtâget well soon!â. His history of bouncing back, like after a 2018 groin injury, has fans confident heâll be back in no time.
Inspiring Beyond the Gala
LeBronâs absence from the Met Gala, set to start at 6 p.m. ET, didnât overshadow his influence. His work on the âSuperfineâ exhibit, celebrating Black dandyism, earned praise for uplifting cultural narratives, per PEOPLE. Fans on X called him âa trailblazer,â with one tweeting, âLeBronâs impact goes way beyond basketball!â. As Savannah represents the family tonight, LeBronâs cheering from afar, proving that even a missed event canât dim his shine. Hereâs to a speedy recovery and a future Met Gala moment thatâs sure to be epic.
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