Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James will miss his 18th game of the 2025-26 NBA season on Tuesday night against the San Antonio Spurs, effectively ending his streak of 21 consecutive years being named to an All-NBA team. The decision, stemming from left foot arthritis, means James will not meet the NBA’s requirement of appearing in at least 65 games to be eligible for postseason awards, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
The Lakers’ announcement comes after a 119-110 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, and amidst a challenging stretch for the team. Head coach JJ Redick will also be without Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and Marcus Smart against the Spurs, forcing a reshuffling of the lineup. The absences of key players, including James, are impacting the Lakers’ playoff push despite a 32-20 record, fifth in the Western Conference.
James, at 41 years old, began the season sidelined for the first 14 games due to sciatica, a factor contributing to his inability to reach the 65-game threshold. The team has been closely monitoring his health, particularly given the demands of a 23rd season in the league. As Fox Sports detailed, the decision to rest James is a proactive measure to manage his condition.
The finish of James’ All-NBA streak is a historically significant development. He holds the record for most first-team All-NBA selections with 13, surpassing Karl Malone and Kobe Bryant, who each had 11. Bryant was on the All-NBA First Team in 2004, the only season in the last 21 years James wasn’t honored. James’ consistent performance – averaging 21.7 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds over 34 games this season – underscores the impact of his absence on his award eligibility. ClutchPoints reported that this marks the first time since 2004 James will not be on an All-NBA team.
The Lakers face a Spurs team that has proven challenging this season, and the team’s injury situation raises questions about their ability to secure wins in a competitive Western Conference. The game is scheduled for 10:30 pm ET and will be televised on NBA TV.
