LA Lakers star LeBron James will not be eligible for the 2025-26 postseason awards. He was ruled out of the Lakers’ game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday due to left foot arthritis, which will be his 18th game missed.
James cannot reach the league’s requirement of playing at least 65 regular-season games to be eligible for postseason awards. This brings an end to an unprecedented streak of being named to an All-NBA team for 21 straight seasons.
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LeBron James missed the start of the 2025-26 regular season due to sciatica on his right side. The injury kept him out of training camp, preseason and the first 14 games of the season, marking the first time in the four-time champion’s career that he has missed his team’s season opener.
He made his season debut on Nov. 18, 2025, in a 140-126 home win over the Utah Jazz, recording 11 points, three rebounds and 12 assists.
LeBron James also saw a historic 21-year All-Star starter run finally snapped after the NBA announced its starters for the 2026 All-Star Game. He finished eighth in fan voting among Western Conference players. Although he still made the All-Star as a reserve, after he was selected by coaches.
The last time the former Miami Heat star didn’t make the All-Star team was his rookie season in 2004. However, he didn’t play in the 2025 All-Star Game, despite being voted a starter, due to foot and ankle discomfort.
LeBron James bluntly calls out NBA’s 65-game rule
LA Lakers star LeBron James on Jan. 27 on his “Mind the Game” podcast bluntly called out the NBA’s 65-game rule, claiming it is ‘catastrophic’ for players’ legacies.
James, alongside guest co-host Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, talked about the effect the NBA’s 65-game rule has on players. Both players acknowledged that while the rule has its merits, situations like injuries could hurt the players financially and legacy-wise.
“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. (Start from 25:17). “We’re not just talking about legacies for guys but also legacies for their families.”
“If you have an opportunity to be in a contract year where you can get the supermax or you’re eligible for an extra year and you’re playing exceptional basketball, you’re having a career year and you play 64 games that could be like catastrophic.”
James is in the final year of his Lakers contract and will become an unrestricted free agent next season, and there is speculation about his next move, whether he’ll retire, re-sign with the Lakers or even join another team, preferably his draft team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is averaging 21.8 points, 5.7 assists and 6.9 assists, while shooting 50.2% from the field.
Edited by Ubong Richard
