LeBron James Backs Out Of Met Gala Over Knee Injury

Los Angeles Lakers v Minnesota Timberwolves - Game Four

Source: David Berding / Getty

One of the most anticipated showings at the 2025 Met Gala is no more.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, LeBron James has announced that he won’t be making the trip up those iconic red steps thanks to the grueling 82-game NBA season, highlighted by an injury he suffered in the playoffs.

“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!” He wrote. “Hate to miss an historical event!”

The Los Angeles Laker confirmed that his wife, Savannah, will still be attending.

He continued, “My beautiful powerful Queen will be there holding the castle down as she always has done!”

Just last week, the 40-year-old was embroiled in the first round of the NBA playoffs, going up against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wolves, led by Anthony Edwards, easily bested the aging superstar and his Los Angeles Lakers, 4-1.

In the series’ final game, James suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter when he and Donte DiVincenzo crashed into each other, which sent him to the floor writhing in pain.

Fans quickly roasted him for limping out of the Crypto arena after game 5, but ESPN later confirmed that further testing revealed he has a Grade 2 MCL sprain.

With a recovery time of up to five weeks, he couldn’t have played in game six and would have sat out if the Lakers miraculously made it to the Western Conference Semifinals.

Knee injuries and stairs don’t mix, but James’s absence from the Met Gala is a big blow because he was announced as the honorary co-chair last year. His presence would have highlighted other fashion-forward stars of the night, like Colman Domingo, Pharrell, Lewis Hamilton, and A$AP Rocky, to the theme of this year’s Costume Institute spring exhibit of Superfine: Tailoring for Black Style.