LeBron James ends historic NBA streak after missing out on postseason awards

LeBron James was left out of the NBA individual awards after failing to reach the minimum of 65 regular-season games played, bringing to an end a 22-year streak of winning at least one league distinction.

The Los Angeles Lakers announced Tuesday that the 41-year-old will miss tonight’s game against the San Antonio Spurs due to arthritis in his left foot, an issue that further complicates his season.

James played nearly 36 minutes Monday in the Lakers’ loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder before his absence was confirmed.

The veteran, widely considered one of the greatest NBA legends, had already missed the first 14 games of the season with sciatica, leaving him little margin for additional absences. The game against the Spurs will mark the 18th contest James has missed this season.

LeBron received an award in his very first NBA season (2003–04, when he won Rookie of the Year). More recently, in the 2024–25 season, he was named to the All-NBA Second Team. Between those years, he collected four MVP awards and 13 All-NBA First Team selections, cementing a historic legacy.

The NBA introduced the 65-game minimum rule in the 2023–24 season, requiring players to appear in at least 65 of the 82 regular-season games to be eligible for individual awards — a measure designed to encourage star participation, but one that has also sparked controversy due to its impact on injured players.

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