LeBron James’ Streak Comes to an End

LeBron James’ recent absence from the Los Angeles Lakers has put an end to an impressive 21-year streak that’s hard to match in NBA history.

James missed the game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, which marked his 18th game missed this season. Due to this, he won’t meet the 65-game minimum needed for All-NBA team recognition under the current collective bargaining agreement.

This means that, for the first time since 2004, James won’t make it onto an All-NBA team.

His situation was worsened by the fact that he sat out the first 14 games of the 2025-26 season because of sciatica, a back issue. At 41 years old, managing his playtime is crucial, especially during back-to-back games.

Tuesday’s game is particularly challenging as the Lakers faced the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder the night before, losing 119-110.

Currently, James is dealing with arthritis in his left foot. This puts head coach J.J. Redick in a tough spot as he will need to make creative adjustments to the lineup, especially considering the absences of players like Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Marcus Smart.

When reflecting on NBA history, James’ 21 consecutive years of making All-NBA teams is truly unprecedented. He also boasts 13 first-team selections, more than legends like Karl Malone and Kobe Bryant. Interestingly, Bryant was named to the first team during the season that James was a rookie.

During his rookie season in 2003-04, he averaged 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.6 steals in 79 games, earning the title of Rookie of the Year. Following that, he got selected to the All-NBA second team and continued to play without interruption for any of his three teams until this season.

Currently, in his 23rd season with the Lakers, James is averaging 21.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game. The Lakers hold a record of 32-20 this season, placing them fifth in the Western Conference.