LeBron James has spent over two decades defying expectations, rewriting history, and redefining longevity in professional basketball. But here in the heart of the 2025-26 season, it’s fair to wonder: is this the year his incredible All-Star and All-NBA streaks finally come to an end?
For 21 straight seasons, James has been a fixture on both lists - a run of dominance we may never see again. But this season has been different. A delayed start due to sciatica and a noticeable shift in the Lakers’ offensive hierarchy - with Luka Dončić increasingly taking the reins - have cast doubt on whether LeBron’s name will be called when All-Star rosters are announced.
And yet, just when you think the King might be fading, he reminds you why he’s still royalty.
On Tuesday night, in a gritty 115-107 comeback win over the Denver Nuggets, James delivered a vintage performance: 19 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists. Not eye-popping by his own standards, but emblematic of the all-around impact he still brings. He’s now averaging 22.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game - numbers that, in almost any other context, would all but guarantee an All-Star nod.
More importantly, he’s passing the eye test. With the game in the balance late in the fourth and the Nuggets refusing to go quietly despite being shorthanded, James seized the moment.
Cutting baseline with under two minutes to play, he took a feed from Rui Hachimura and detonated a tomahawk dunk that sent a jolt through Crypto.com Arena. It wasn’t just two points - it was a statement.
At 41, James still has that gear when the moment demands it.
LEBRON JAMES WITH A DAGGER JAM DOWN THE LANE 💥pic.twitter.com/8XmeGkRkJU
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 21, 2026
Now, let’s be real: All-NBA is likely out of reach this year. Not necessarily because of a steep decline in play - though his production has dipped slightly - but because of the league's new availability rules. James has already missed 17 games this season, and one more would disqualify him from end-of-season honors, including All-NBA consideration.
That’s the reality of aging in the modern NBA. The league is deeper and more physically demanding than ever, and the bar for postseason accolades has never been higher. But if Father Time is undefeated, LeBron James is that rare opponent who’s managed to take him into overtime.
As for the Lakers? They’re a complicated puzzle.
On paper, they have pieces that suggest contention - a superstar duo in Dončić and James, solid role players, and flashes of elite play. But their defensive inconsistencies and lack of depth make it hard to slot them in alongside the Western Conference’s elite like the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs.
Still, if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the past two decades, it’s this: counting out LeBron James is a fool’s game. He may not be the focal point anymore, and his hardware streaks may finally be nearing their end. But if there’s one last playoff push left in him - one final act in a career full of them - don’t be surprised when he delivers.
Because even as the game evolves and the league’s young stars rise, LeBron is still finding ways to matter. And that, in itself, is greatness.