🔗 Share this article

LeBron James was aware his monumental streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. When it mattered most, though, it was not his focus.

The smart move meant distributing the ball – and he executed. Consequently, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight total points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He made the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“None,” James said in response about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Play Delivers the Game

He might have sought to clinch the game – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to dish the ball to Rui on the wing. Rui connected, with LeBron raised his arms with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball correctly. You always make the correct play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. It's how I learned the game. I've played that way my whole career.”

He is fully cognizant of how many points he has at all times,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted just as he has throughout his career.”

The Streak's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the contest one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome along with the historic run on the line. His tally was six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to level the contest and missed a shot at one minute to go that would have taken him to ten points.

He avoided taking another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, however, James opted to dish it off instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the right way, they tend to reward you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Monumental Streak

James's streak commenced back in January 2007. It was, by far the longest streak of its kind in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded of 575 games.

He is such an unselfish player,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the sport. He had the opportunity but due to who he is on the court and just who he is as a person, he executed the team play, found Rui and we won the game.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a guarantee early in the final period. Over the course of the record, he had attained ten points entering the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

However, two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods had happened recently: He had nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it concluded – yet he was celebrating regardless.

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James said. If you make the right play, the sports deities are always giving back to me.”