In a league where load management, injuries, and rest days have become common practice, durability has become an increasingly rare trait. That’s what makes the NBA’s “Ironman Club” so special—players who manage to appear in all 82 games of the regular season.
In the 2024-25 campaign, just 11 players out of 569 reached that mark, continuing a recent trend where only a select few can withstand the grind of a full NBA season.
This year’s Ironman list features: Chris Paul, Harrison Barnes, Buddy Hield, Malik Beasley, Jarrett Allen, Mikal Bridges, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jaden McDaniels, Jalen Green, Julian Champagnie, and Bub Carrington. It’s a blend of savvy veterans like Paul and Barnes, rising stars like Green and McDaniels, and role players who’ve carved out consistent spots in their team’s rotations.
The number dropped slightly from last season, when 17 players hit 82 games. In 2022-23, only 10 players did it, and in 2021-22, the number was a mere 5. Clearly, these Ironmen are becoming an endangered species in today’s NBA, where preserving player health for the postseason often trumps pushing through nagging injuries for regular-season appearances.
No one embodies the spirit of the Ironman quite like Mikal Bridges, who extended his incredible consecutive games streak to 556. His streak remained intact thanks to a now-viral 6-second cameo in the Knicks’ season finale against his former team, the Brooklyn Nets.
Bridges checked in at tip-off, guarded Trendon Watford at halfcourt, committed a quick foul, and exited immediately after. It was a strategic move to ensure his streak lived on—something the Knicks and Bridges clearly value deeply.
What makes Bridges’ run even more remarkable is that he has never missed a single game since entering the league in 2018. For seven straight seasons, through trades, coaching changes, and even a shift in role from a 3-and-D wing to a lead scorer, Bridges has suited up every night. In an era where stars commonly sit out back-to-backs or are sidelined with minor issues, that level of consistency is extraordinary.
While Bridges is the headliner, the presence of 39-year-old Chris Paul on this list is arguably just as impressive. Known for his smarts and ability to manage his body, Paul’s ability to log all 82 games this late in his career speaks volumes about his conditioning and professionalism.
At the other end of the spectrum is Bub Carrington, a rookie who entered the league with the Washington Wizards and wasted no time making his presence felt by playing every game of his debut season. The hope is that he can carry the same longevity as Bridges, though history suggests that maintaining that availability gets harder with each passing year.
In a league that often values preservation over perseverance, these 11 players stood tall in 2024-25. They didn’t just show up—they showed what it means to be available every single night, reminding the world that there’s still honor in durability.
