🔗 Share this article

LeBron James was aware his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was threatened. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play involved passing the basketball – and he executed. Following that play, the unprecedented record finished.

LeBron's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded during a recent game, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight total points during the Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James stated in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Play Secures the Game

He might have sought to clinch the contest – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron exulted with his hands in the air.

You have to play basketball the right way. You always make the correct play,” James remarked. That is my M.O.. That is the way I was taught the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

He is very conscious exactly how many points he has during a game,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted just as he has so many times.”

The Streak's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the outcome and the streak up for grabs. His tally was only six points from 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to knot the score but then missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that might have taken him to double digits.

He didn’t take one more attempt – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, but James decided to make the extra pass instead.

The spirits of the game, when you play it correctly, they tend to bless you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at a Monumental Streak

James's streak started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the longest such streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays hoops. The chance was there but given who he is on the court and just who he is as a person, he executed the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a guarantee long before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had achieved double figures entering the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

But two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had occurred just days before: 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.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – but he still rejoiced all the same.

I only ever make the best play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James said. When you make the right play, the sports deities forever rewarding me.”