LOS ANGELES — LeBron James will miss his 18th game of the season on Tuesday night, which means the 41-year-old Lakers star will fall short of the 65-game threshold required to be eligible for the league’s annual awards, ending his 21-year streak of receiving All-NBA honors.

James (left foot arthritis), who was announced as out against the San Antonio Spurs in the second game of a back-to-back after the Lakers dropped Monday night’s contest to the Oklahoma City Thunder, joins forward Luka Doncic (left hamstring strain, third consecutive game out), guard Marcus Smart (right ankle soreness) and guard Austin Reaves (left calf injury management) as those who will sit out the game against their Victor Wembanyama-led foes.

After falling to the Thunder, who were sans reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Monday, James was blunt about the difference in championship quality play between the defending champion Thunder and the Lakers.

“I’m kind of tired … I’m tired,” James said after scoring 14 of his 22 points in the second half of their 119-110 loss. “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 last missed a game on Jan. 7, a loss to the Spurs in San Antonio. So far through his eighth season with the Lakers and 23rd season overall, James has averaged 21.8 points, 6.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game. As of Feb. 10, the points marker would be his fewest since his rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003-04.

Doncic, who left last Thursday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers last week grabbing his left hamstring, remains out – keeping his status for Sunday’s All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome in limbo.

Center Deandre Ayton was listed as questionable against the Spurs with right knee soreness, while rookie forward Adou Thiero (right MCL sprain) is not listed on the injury report for the first time since late December. Thiero had been practicing with the G-League’s South Bay Lakers earlier this week as he prepared for a return to action.

LeBron: “We can’t sustain energy and effort for 48 minutes and they can. That’s why they won a championship.” pic.twitter.com/CBMK3s3P8Q

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) February 10, 2026