The National Basketball Association (National Basketball Association) officially wrapped up its 2025–26 season awards cycle on Monday, May 25 (Philippine Standard Time), releasing the All-NBA Teams that once again spotlighted a mix of established superstars, emerging franchise cornerstones, and record-breaking young talents across the league.
San Antonio Spurs generational talent Victor Wembanyama also earned his first career All-NBA First Team selection, marking a significant leap in his rapid rise as one of the most dominant defensive and two-way presences in the modern game. His inclusion underscores the NBA’s continued transition into a new era led by young international and American stars.
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Completing the First Team are Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić and Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, both of whom were granted eligibility exceptions by the league after falling short of the standard 65-game threshold due to injury-related absences. Their selections highlight the league’s ongoing balancing act between strict availability rules and recognition of elite-level performance when players are healthy.
LeBron James is not All-NBA for the first time in 21 seasons, h/t @statmuse
End of an era. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/1lhsn4rCiT
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 24, 2026
While the First Team featured familiar and rising names, one of the most notable storylines from this year’s All-NBA announcement was the absence of Los Angeles Lakers icon LeBron James from all three teams—officially ending his unprecedented 21-year All-NBA selection streak.
James’ streak began in the 2004–05 season, when he earned his first All-NBA Second Team honor alongside Dwyane Wade, Kevin Garnett, Amar’e Stoudemire, and Ray Allen. Over the next two decades, he remained a constant fixture on the league’s elite lists, including his selection last season alongside Anthony Edwards, Stephen Curry, Evan Mobley, and Jalen Brunson, further reinforcing his longevity at the highest level of the sport.
This season, however, James was ruled ineligible after falling short of the NBA’s 65-game requirement for end-of-season awards. He ultimately appeared in 60 games, missing the start of the campaign due to sciatica affecting his lower back. Despite the setback, he still delivered a strong statistical output, averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game while guiding the Lakers to a fourth-place finish in the Western Conference standings.
Los Angeles went on to reach the postseason but was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs, closing another chapter in a season that again showcased James’ enduring impact even as he navigates the later stages of his career.
Looking ahead, significant speculation continues to surround James’ future in the league. The 41-year-old forward is currently on an expiring $52.6 million contract, and while he has yet to publicly confirm his plans, reports indicate that several contending teams are monitoring his situation closely as he weighs his next move.
As the NBA transitions into a new era of superstars led by names like Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokić, Wembanyama, Dončić, and Cunningham, the 2025–26 All-NBA selections reflect both the league’s evolving hierarchy and the closing of one of its most iconic individual eras.
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