Why Is LeBron James Not Attending 2025 Met Gala?

The first Monday of May has officially arrived and the fashion world is buzzing with Met Gala excitement. Unfortunately, one of the most highly anticipated guests of the evening, LeBron James, has confirmed he will officially not be in attendance. The news comes as a surprise due to the basketball legend’s role as honorary co-chair for this year’s iteration, which would have also been his debut at the storied fundraiser event.

James took to X to announce his decision and explained the reasoning behind his choice to stay home. “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! Hate to miss an historical event!” he wrote.

The 4x NBA champion made sure to shoutout his wife, Savannah James, for attending tonight and proudly repping them both, concluding with, “My beautiful powerful Queen will be there holding the castle down as she always has done!”

This year’s exciting Met Gala theme is Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, inspired by Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. Last year, LeBron James was announced as an honorary co-chair while Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and Anna Wintour will serve as co-chairs.

“Every year, The Met Gala brings together cultural figures and style icons from across a wide array of fields to celebrate and support art and fashion,” said Max Hollein, The Met’s Marina Kellen French Director and Chief Executive Officer. “This spring’s event will mark the opening of the exhibition Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, a profoundly scholarly show centering an important legacy of Black-led sartorial innovation and creative expression that continues to inspire and shape our world today.”

Despite an exciting an eventful season, King James’ playoff run with the Lakers this year has officially come to an end. Last Wednesday (April 30), the Los Angeles team was knocked out of championship contention when they were defeated by the Minnesota Timberwolves, finishing 1-4.