LeBron James has had a mini renaissance since his 41st birthday on Dec. 30. But it may not be enough to save two of his most impressive career streaks.
The Lakers star missed his 17th game of the 2025–26 season Wednesday due to left foot joint arthritis and right sciatica, putting him at the limit of the league’s 65-game requirement to qualify for season awards, including All-NBA. James has qualified for an All-NBA team for 21 straight seasons, only missing out in the 2003–04 season, his rookie year.
The NBA added the games-played requirement in the 2023–24 season. James must play in all of the Lakers’ remaining 47 games to remain eligible this year.
James is also in jeopardy of missing the NBA All-Star Game, which he has also qualified for in each of the last 21 seasons.
The NBA released the second return of its fan voting Tuesday, and James—who has been the All-Star fan vote leader 10 times—was just 8th among all Western Conference players and 13th overall. Five players are selected as All-Star Game starters, which are decided through a weighted system that gives 50% to the fan vote, 25% to NBA player votes, and 25% to a select group of media members.
James could still qualify for the game as a reserve, which is selected by NBA coaches. But the four-time MVP faces stiff competition in a loaded Western Conference, including two other potential All-Stars on his own team: Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
While there is no minimum game requirement to be selected for the exhibition game, which is undergoing another major format change this year, it may be factored into coaches’ decision making that James has missed about half of the Lakers’ games this season.
On the other hand, James’s reputation as one of the greatest players in league history and one who has made a record 21 All-Star appearances may tip the scales his way.
