Is LeBron James Eligible for 2026 All-NBA Team Honor? Lakers Star's Delayed Season Debut Impact on His Award Chances Explored

The NBA’s 65-game minimum requirement for players to earn major awards is putting LeBron James’ All-NBA team honor in jeopardy. After the LA Lakers superstar sat out the first 14 games due to a sciatica injury, he is almost out of leeway. James can’t afford to miss more than three games to qualify for an All-NBA selection.

James has earned All-NBA honors since the 2004-05 season, his sophomore year. Last season, he made it to the second team after averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds in 70 games.

Since signing with the Lakers in 2019, he has had four seasons in which he failed to play 65 games. With potential injuries and load management on the table, James might fail to meet the minimum requirement for games to keep his All-NBA streak going.

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The Lakers want LeBron James fresh for the playoffs, so they often hold him out in the first or second game of a back-to-back set. LA’s first consecutive games 24 hours apart since James returned will be in January. They will be in New Orleans on Jan. 6 and in San Antonio on Jan. 7.

Less than a week later, the Lakers visit the Sacramento Kings before hosting the Atlanta Hawks. If LA manages James’ workload, he is likely sitting out two of those games.

In mid-January, the LA Lakers will be in Portland before a home game against the Toronto Raptors. From the time they meet the Pelicans until they host the Raptors, the Lakers would have played eight games in 13 nights.

LeBron James’ window to an All-NBA selection inches closer with every back-to-back game.

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LeBron James faces tough competition to earn All-NBA honors

Playing 65 games does not guarantee LeBron James an All-NBA selection. If he can’t come close to what he averaged last season, the four-time MVP might not sniff any major award.

In his season debut on Tuesday against the Utah Jazz, James willingly played behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The 23-year veteran tallied 11 points, 12 assists and three rebounds. Playing as a third option might not push him to an All-NBA nod for the 22nd time in his career.

LeBron James faces tough competition to make an All-NBA team. In the West alone, Nikola Jokic, Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Julius Randle, Lauri Markkanen, Victor Wembanyama and others will challenge him.

Edited by Michael Macasero