There’s a first time for everything, even when you’re LeBron James and playing in your 20th NBA season.
The Lakers star didn’t receive any votes for the league’s 2023 MVP award for the first time in his career as 76ers star Joel Embiid took home the hardware with 73 first-place votes and 915 points.
Nikola Jokic, seeking an award three-peat, finished second with 15 first-place votes and 674 points; Bucks big man Giannis Antetokounmpo earned 12 first-place votes and 606 points.
James, a four-time MVP, has not won the the award since 2013, though he’s finished as a runner-up three times in that span.
Despite an injury-marred season, the 38-year-old posted 28.9 points per game to go with 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists in 55 games.
He also became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record of 38,387 career points on Feb. 7 against Oklahoma City.
Since coming into the league as the top pick in 2003 — straight out of high school — he has continually cemented himself as one of the best players ever.
Still, there’s not much time for James to be slighted by any perceived MVP-vote snub, as his Lakers take on the Warriors in the second round of the NBA playoffs beginning Tuesday night.
That comes with another meeting with Golden State star Stephen Curry — who placed ninth in MVP voting with a fourth-place vote and two fifth-place votes.
“Just two of the most competitive players that have ever played this game,” James said of his fellow star Monday. “We want to etch our name in the history books as much as we can, and we’re playing our own way. I’ve got nothing but the greatest admiration and respect for Steph.”
Curry, a two-time MVP himself, has mutual admiration for James, as well.
“It is special to know the first series we played him in Cleveland in the ’14-15 to now, we’re blessed to be playing at this level,” Curry said. “Excited about a new chapter, two teams trying to keep their season alive and chase a championship. That’s what it’s all about.”
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