LeBron James will not play in Tuesday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, as the Los Angeles Lakers have ruled him out with left foot arthritis. This injury marks the end of James’s remarkable streak, preventing him from qualifying for any NBA end-of-season awards this year. Due to the injury, James will miss his 18th game of the season and cannot meet the 65-game threshold needed for award eligibility, with a maximum of 64 games possible now.
Historic streaks conclude as All-NBA selections slip away
This season marks the first time since 2004 that James will not appear on the All-NBA teams, halting an extraordinary 21-year streak. Over his career, James holds the record for the most first-team All-NBA selections with 13, surpassing legends Kobe Bryant and Karl Malone by two. Despite his absence from the All-NBA lists, James retains one significant streak by securing his 22nd NBA All-Star Game selection as a reserve player, having not been voted in as a starter.
James’s current season performance and ongoing impact
At 41 years old, James continues to deliver strong performances, averaging 21.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game, shooting at an efficient 50.2 percent. While injuries have curtailed his ability to maintain his unprecedented game streaks, his presence remains influential on the court and in the league. The end of this streak signals a notable moment in NBA history, reflecting both James’s longevity and the challenges of sustaining elite performance over two decades.
LeBron James is out tonight, which means he will not play 65 games, and is therefore ineligible for awards
His streak of 21 straight All-NBA seasons is over pic.twitter.com/QfT1NIymyr
— Lev Akabas (@LevAkabas) February 10, 2026
