Lebron James Skipped the 2025 Met Gala: "Hate to Miss Such a Historical Event"

Just hours before the red carpet was set to roll out, LeBron James shockingly announced that his Met Gala debut would be postponed. On Monday, May 5, the NBA superstar took to X (formerly Twitter) and revealed that he would no longer attend this year's prestigious fashion event.

LeBron had been slated to serve as an honorary chair for the 2025 Met Gala, which is centered around the theme "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style." So, what led to his sudden change of plans? Why did LeBron skip the Met Gala this year?

Here's everything you need to know.

Shortly after 1 p.m. EST, LeBron took to X (formerly Twitter) to share that he would be skipping the 2025 Met Gala due to a recent injury he sustained at the end of the 2024-25 NBA season.

He wrote, "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 N.Y. tonight as so many people have been asking and congratulating me on!"

LeBron, aka "King James," expressed his disappointment, saying he hates "to miss such [a] historical event." However, the four-time NBA champ reassured his millions of fans that his wife, Savannah, whom he deemed his "beautiful powerful Queen," would still be attending fashion's biggest night and "holding the castle down as she always has done!"

Speaking of LeBron's injury, it occurred during Game 5 of the Los Angeles Lakers' first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Not only did the Lakers lose the game and end their season, but an MRI confirmed that LeBron had "suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain to his left knee."

A source told ESPN that the injury requires a recommended recovery timeline of three to five weeks. This recovery period likely requires less travel and limited time on his feet, as attending the Met Gala would have meant LeBron would be on his feet for several hours.