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LeBron James’ recent absence for the Los Angeles Lakers ended a 21-year streak that may be unmatched in NBA history.
James has officially hit 18 missed games this season when he sits out against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday. As a result, James will not be able to reach the minimum 65 games necessary to be considered for league awards, according to the collective bargaining agreement.
So for the first time since 2004, James will not be on the All-NBA teams.
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on February 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
What didn’t help James’ cause was missing the first 14 games of the 2025-26 season due to sciatica. With James being 41 years old, there was always going to be an absence of load management, especially on back-to-backs.
That’s the case on this Tuesday night, as the Lakers are on the second night of a back-to-back after losing to the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, 119-110, on Monday night in Los Angeles.
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James’ injury is currently listed as left foot arthritis, and head coach JJ Redick is also dealing with Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart all ruled out, forcing him to get creative with his lineup this game.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James dunks during the second half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
But in NBA history, James’ 21-year streak tying an NBA team is the definition of unprecedented. He is also the all-time leader in first-team All-NBA selections with 13 – two ahead of Karl Malone and the late Kobe Bryant.
Bryant was part of the first-team All-NBA squad, which James missed during his rookie season in 2003-04. Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal and Jason Kidd filled out the rest of the group.
But after his first NBA season in which he was named Rookie of the Year after averaging 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.6 steals over 79 games with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
From there, James made the All-NBA second team the next season and didn’t stop landing on one of the three teams until this season.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) watches during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena. Compulsory credit: (Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images)
It’s Year 23 for James, who is still averaging 21.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game across 35 contests for the Lakers, who are 32-20 this season, good for fifth in the Western Conference.
