LeBron James ends 21-year All-NBA streak after lacking 18 video games

LeBron James’ newest absence for the Los Angeles Lakers ended a 21-year streak that may not be rivaled in NBA historical past.

James has formally hit 18 missed video games this season, as he sits out Tuesday in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs. As a consequence, James gained’t be capable of hit the 65-game minimal wanted to be thought of for league awards, as per the collective bargaining settlement.

So, for the primary time since 2004, James gained’t be on the All-NBA groups.

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What didn’t assist James’ case was lacking the primary 14 video games of the 2025-26 season on account of sciatica. Given James is 41 years outdated, there was at all times going to be load administration absences, particularly on back-to-backs.

That is the case on this Tuesday night time matchup, because the Lakers are on the second night time of a back-to-back after dropping to the league-best Oklahoma City Thunder, 119-110, on Monday night time in Los Angeles.

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James’ damage designation is at present left foot arthritis, and head coach JJ Redick can be coping with Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart all dominated out, forcing him to get inventive together with his lineup on this recreation.

But within the grand scheme of NBA historical past, James’ streak of 21 years making an All-NBA staff straight is the definition of unprecedented. He additionally the all-time chief in first-team All-NBA choices with 13 — two forward of Karl Malone and the late Kobe Bryant.

Bryant was part of the first-team All-NBA squad that James missed throughout his rookie season in 2003-04. Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal and Jason Kidd crammed out the remainder of that group.

But after his first NBA season, the place he was named Rookie of the Year after averaging 20.9 factors, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.6 steals over 79 video games with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

From there, James made second-team All-NBA the subsequent season and didn’t cease touchdown on one of many three groups till this season.

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It’s Year 23 for James, who remains to be averaging 21.8 factors, 5.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists per recreation throughout 35 contests for the Lakers, who’re 32-20 this season, good for fifth within the Western Conference.

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