LeBron James’ 21-year run may finally be in danger

Earlier this month LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to take part in 23 seasons, an incredible stretch for the Ohio-born star.

James, now 40, is the holder of countless NBA records, including most points scored, most minutes played and most field goals made. His 11-point performance against the Utah Jazz last week extended his run of double-digit scoring to an astonishing 1,294 games.

But perhaps the strongest evidence of his greatness is his streak of appearances in the NBA All-Star game. James has been an All-Star in each of the last 21 seasons, receiving his first selection in his second season in the league.

But after 21 years, James may finally be forced to sit out the showpiece game. League rules dictate that players must have played at least 65 regular season games to be eligible for the All-Star teams, or any other regular season award.

James has been remarkably available throughout his career but he suffered a sciatica at the start of the 2025/26 season, ruling him out for the first 14 games. That means that the veteran star can only miss three games for the remainder of the regular season if he wants to reach 65 appearances. Complicating matters, the Lakers still have 11 back-to-back games remaining on the schedule, a tall order for a player of James’ age.

It remains to be seen how James and coach J.J. Reddick will manage his minutes across the season. But it seems unlikely that the 40-year-old will be able to reach the 65-game mark this year, potentially ending one of the most impressive streaks in NBA history.

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