LeBron James Ineligible for Postseason Awards as 65-Game Rule Ends Historic All-NBA Streak
For the first time in over two decades, LeBron James won’t be in the All-NBA conversation.
The Lakers star has officially been ruled out of Tuesday’s matchup against the San Antonio Spurs due to left foot arthritis-his 18th missed game of the season. That number matters because under the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement, players must appear in at least 65 regular-season games to qualify for major postseason honors, including All-NBA selections. With this latest absence, James falls short of that threshold, ending a staggering 21-season run of All-NBA recognition.
Let that sink in: 21 straight seasons. That’s not just consistency-it’s longevity at an all-time level. And now, due to a rule designed to incentivize player availability, that streak comes to a halt.
A Season Shaped by Injuries
James’ 2025-26 campaign got off to a rocky start before it even began. He missed training camp, preseason, and the Lakers’ first 14 games due to sciatica on his right side. It marked the first time in his storied career that he didn’t suit up for his team’s season opener.
He finally made his debut on November 18 in a high-scoring win over the Utah Jazz, where he posted 11 points, three rebounds, and 12 assists. But the early-season absence set the tone for a year that’s been defined more by recovery than rhythm.
All-Star Starter Streak Ends Too
The All-NBA streak isn’t the only historic run that’s come to an end. For the first time since his rookie year back in 2004, LeBron won’t be starting in the NBA All-Star Game. He finished eighth in fan voting among Western Conference players, snapping a 21-year streak as a starter.
He still earned a reserve spot after being selected by coaches-an acknowledgment of his continued impact despite the missed time. But symbolically, it’s another sign that the league’s ironman is finally being slowed by time and circumstance.
It’s worth noting that James was voted an All-Star starter last season in 2025, but didn’t play due to foot and ankle discomfort. This year, the votes just didn’t fall his way.
LeBron Speaks Out on the 65-Game Rule
James hasn’t been quiet about how he feels regarding the league’s 65-game minimum. On a recent episode of his “Mind the Game” podcast, he called the rule “catastrophic” for players’ legacies. Alongside Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, James discussed the unintended consequences of the policy-particularly for players who are performing at an elite level but are sidelined by legitimate injuries.
“It’s going to be so weird to see the All-NBA teams come out-first-team, second-team, third-team-and Jokic is not on there or Giannis is not on there,” James said. “We’re not just talking about legacies for guys but also legacies for their families.”
He pointed to the financial ramifications as well, noting that players in contract years could miss out on supermax deals or extensions if they fall just short of the 65-game mark, even while playing at an All-NBA level.
“If you play 64 games and you’re having a career year, that could be catastrophic,” he added.
What’s Next for LeBron?
James is in the final year of his contract with the Lakers and is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Naturally, that’s sparked speculation about his next move-whether he’ll re-sign in L.A., explore a return to Cleveland, or even call it a career.
For now, though, he’s still producing. He’s averaging 21.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game while shooting 50.2% from the field.
Even at this stage of his career, the numbers are impressive. But with the new rules reshaping the award landscape, even a season like this one isn’t enough to keep his historic streaks alive.
The league’s 65-game rule was designed to reward durability. But as we’re seeing with LeBron, it may also be rewriting how we define greatness in the modern NBA.