LeBron James will sit out Tuesday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, marking his 18th absence this NBA season. This game absence means the 41-year-old Lakers star will not reach the minimum 65 games required to qualify for postseason awards, bringing an end to his remarkable 21-year streak of All-NBA honors.
NBA rules generally require players to appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for end-of-season accolades, a threshold James will not meet this season due to a persistent left foot arthritis issue.
Injury and Team Context for Lakers and Opponents
James was officially ruled out for the second game of a back-to-back after the Lakers’ loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder the previous night. He joins a list of significant absences for the Spurs matchup, including Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic, who has missed three straight games due to a left hamstring strain, and fellow Lakers teammates Marcus Smart and Austin Reaves, sidelined with right ankle soreness and left calf injury management, respectively.
Following the Lakers’ defeat to the Thunder—who themselves were without star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—James shared his evident frustration with his physical condition and the team’s performance differences.
“I’m kind of tired …. I’m tired,”
he said after scoring 22 points, including 14 in the second half, attempting a late comeback.
“No, I’m not sick. I’m just tired as f**k. Sorry if I sound irritated, but I’m 41. My (patience for) irritation is being very, very low as the days go on.”
—LeBron James, Lakers star
Season Performance and Latest Absences
James last missed a game on January 7, in a loss against the Spurs in San Antonio. Throughout his eighth year with the Lakers and 23rd season overall, he has averaged 21.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. As of February 10, his scoring average stands as the lowest since his rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003-04.
Luka Doncic’s ongoing hamstring injury continues to sideline him, casting uncertainty over his participation in the upcoming NBA All-Star Game scheduled at the Intuit Dome. Meanwhile, the Spurs’ roster situation includes center Deandre Ayton, listed as questionable with right knee soreness, and rookie forward Adou Thiero, who is not on the injury report for the first time since late December after practicing with the South Bay Lakers preparing for a return.
Implications for LeBron James and the Lakers Moving Forward
LeBron James missing this game and falling short of the 65-game threshold ends one of his most impressive career streaks—21 consecutive years of All-NBA honors. This streak underscored his remarkable longevity and consistent elite performance across more than two decades.
The injury and resulting missed games also reflect the challenges the Lakers face this season, both in terms of player health and team competitiveness. James’ candid, frustrated comments highlight the physical toll being felt at this stage of his career. Meanwhile, the absence of other key contributors like Marcus Smart and Austin Reaves could further complicate the Lakers’ attempts to secure postseason positioning.
As the season progresses, the Lakers will need to manage injuries carefully and rely on younger players stepping up to offset the absence of key stars. For James, maintaining his health will be critical if he aims for any postseason success, even though his All-NBA honors streak has ended.
