LeBron Sits, Streak Snaps: 21 Straight All-NBA Seasons Comes To Halting Stop

Last Updated:February 11, 2026, 09:36 IST

LeBron James ends his 21-season All-NBA streak after missing his 18th game due to left foot arthritis, making him ineligible for postseason awards this year.

LeBron James will sit out Tuesday night against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs — and with that, one of the most remarkable streaks in NBA history is over.

The 41-year-old Lakers star has been ruled out with left foot arthritis as part of injury management on the second night of a back-to-back.

It will be his 18th missed game of the season, pushing him below the NBA’s 65-game minimum required for postseason awards eligibility.

That means no All-NBA nod this year, snapping his jaw-dropping 21-season streak.

James hasn’t failed to make an All-NBA team since his rookie year in 2003-04. He made his first All-NBA squad in just his second season and somehow kept that elite standard into his 40s.

For perspective, Kobe Bryant’s 15 straight selections is the next closest streak. No one has ever touched 20.

This season has been stop-start for James. He missed training camp and the Lakers’ first 14 games with sciatica, and the team has carefully managed his workload ever since. Still, he’s produced when available: 21.7 points, 6.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds across 34 games.

He won’t be alone on the sideline. Luka Doncic (hamstring), Austin Reaves (calf management), Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart (ankle) are also out. The Lakers (32-20) are navigating a brutal back-to-back after losing to Oklahoma City on Monday.

James remains an All-Star this season — as does Doncic, the league’s leading vote-getter — but when it comes to All-NBA dominance, a 21-year reign has finally come to an end.

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