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LeBron James’ latest absence for the Los Angeles Lakers ended a 21-year streak that may not be matched in NBA history.
James officially has 18 missed games this season, as he sits out Tuesday against the San Antonio Spurs. As a result, James will not be able to reach the 65-game minimum required to be considered for league awards, per the collective bargaining agreement.
So, for the first time since 2004, James will not be part of the All-NBA teams.
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James appears 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’ case was missing the first 14 games of the 2025-26 season due to sciatica. Given that James is 41 years old, there will still be load management related absences, especially in back-to-back absences.
That’s the case in this Tuesday night game, as the Lakers are playing their second straight night after losing to the league’s best, the Oklahoma City Thunder, 119-110, Monday night in Los Angeles.
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James’ injury currently is 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 in this matchup.
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 the grand scheme of NBA history, James’ streak of 21 consecutive years on an All-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 on the All-NBA first team that James missed during his rookie season in 2003-04. Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal and Jason Kidd rounded out the rest of this group.
But after his first NBA season, where he was named Rookie of the Year after averaging 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.6 steals in 79 games with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
From there, James made the All-NBA Second Team the following season and kept landing on one of the three teams until this season.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) looks on during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory credit: (Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images)
This is the 23rd year for James, who is still averaging 21.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game in 35 games for the Lakers, who are 32-20 this season, good for fifth place in the Western Conference.
