LeBron James, Lakers
Getty
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James pounds his chest after the singing of the Star Spangled Banner before the game against the Golden State Warriors.
An unprecedented run in NBA history is coming to a close.
LeBron James’ 21-year streak of earning All-NBA honors will end this season, as the Los Angeles Lakers prepare to sit the 41-year-old superstar for his 18th game Tuesday night against the San Antonio Spurs, the second night of a back-to-back.
By falling short of the NBA’s 65-game eligibility threshold, James is no longer eligible for end-of-season awards — marking the end of one of the most remarkable individual streaks in professional sports.
“I’m Tired”: James Signals Absence After Thunder Loss
James all but confirmed his absence following Monday’s 119–110 loss to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, when he delivered an unfiltered postgame assessment.
“I’m kind of tired… I’m tired,” James said after scoring 14 of his 22 points in the second half during a failed comeback. “No, I’m not sick. I’m just tired as [expletive]. Sorry if I sound irritated, but I’m 41. My patience for irritation is being very, very low as the days go on.”
James is currently managing left foot arthritis, per the NBA official injury report, one of several ailments that have contributed to the Lakers’ cautious approach as the All-Star break approaches.
Lakers’ Injury List Grows as Lineup Is Decimated
James will be one of four key rotation players unavailable on Tuesday.
The Lakers will also be without Luka Dončić (left hamstring strain), Austin Reaves (left calf injury management) and Marcus Smart (right ankle soreness).
James, who turned 41 in December, is averaging 21.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds this season. It remains unclear whether he will return on Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers’ final game before the All-Star break.
James: Lakers Not at Championship Level
Following Monday’s loss, James offered a blunt comparison between the Lakers and the NBA’s elite.
“You want me to compare us to them? That’s a championship team right there. We’re not,” James said of Oklahoma City. “We can’t sustain energy and effort for 48 minutes, and they can. That’s why they won a championship.”
The defeat dropped Los Angeles to 32–20, snapped a three-game winning streak, and marked the team’s 20th loss of the season.
The Lakers enter Tuesday half a game behind the Houston Rockets for the No. 4 seed and one game behind the Denver Nuggets for third place in the Western Conference.
Luka Dončić Pushing for Pre–All-Star Return
While James rests, attention has shifted to Dončić’s recovery timeline.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Dončić will miss his third straight game on Tuesday but is making tangible progress.
“So that is just the hamstring issue,” McMenamin said on SportsCenter. “Even though it’s considered a mild strain, he’s never really dealt with a hamstring issue before in his eight-year NBA career, so the rehab is new to him.”
McMenamin reported that Dončić ran Monday and planned to participate in five-on-five contact work Tuesday, keeping Thursday’s matchup against Dallas firmly in play.
“Thursday against Dallas is not out of the question,” McMenamin said. “Luka has aspirations of getting back on the court with the Lakers and then returning for the All-Star Game.”
All-Star Honors Still Loom for Lakers Stars
Dončić was voted an All-Star starter for the sixth time and finished as the league’s leading vote-getter for the first time in his career, receiving more than 3.4 million votes.
“That’s meaningful to him, to be out there on the court to represent his fans,” McMenamin said.
James, meanwhile, was selected as an All-Star reserve, extending his league record to 22 consecutive All-Star appearances. Whether he will suit up remains uncertain. Last season, James elected not to play after being named an All-Star, withdrawing shortly before the game.
Bigger Picture for Lakers
As the Lakers navigate injuries, fatigue, and playoff positioning pressure, Tuesday’s game represents more than just another regular-season contest.
It marks the symbolic end of James’ All-NBA streak and underscores a transitional moment for a team balancing the weight of history with the realities of age, health, and a tightening Western Conference race heading into the All-Star break.