LeBron James' historic streak will end this season

When the Los Angeles Lakers made superstar LeBron James unavailable for Tuesday's home game against the San Antonio Spurs, it put an end to a record streak that he had accumulated throughout his career. Because it was his 18th missed game of the season, that means he will not be able to play in the 65 games that are required to be eligible for NBA awards.

LeBron James' run of All-NBA selections will officially come to an end

Entering this season James had been an All-NBA selection for 21 consecutive seasons, setting an NBA record in the process. 

But now that he is missing his 18th game of the season, that streak will not continue.

James was sidelined on Tuesday due to what the team called foot arthritis. 

The minimum-game requirements were put in part to convince teams and players to not use extreme load management tactics to ensure the league's top players play in more games. If players want to win awards and be eligible awards, they have to play. 

Lakers head coach J.J. Redick, who used to have awards votes as a media member, said on Tuesday in the wake of James' streak coming to an end that there should be some guidance to voters on games played, but that it perhaps should not be a rigid, strict rule.

"I think it's fine to have some sort of guidance for voters," Redick said. "I know the first year that I voted, there were a bunch of guys that were in like that 54- to 56-game range."

When James has been healthy and in the lineup, he is still playing at a high level, averaging 21.8 points, 5.7 rebounds. 6.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game. 

The Lakers entered play on Tuesday in the fifth spot in the NBA's Western Conference, a game-and-a-half clear of the play-in tier. They were also just one game back of having the third-best record in the Western Conference.