🔗 Share this article

LeBron James was aware his monumental run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, it was not his focus.

The right decision was to pass the ball – and he executed. Consequently, the legendary streak finished.

James's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances was snapped this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight points in the Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James said in response on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Selfless Play Secures the Game

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to dish the ball to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James celebrated triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball the proper way. Always make the smart play,” James remarked. That has always been my philosophy. That is the way I learned the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

He is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored at all times,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Record's End Game

He returned to the floor one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and his personal record both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to tie the game then missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go that would have taken him to double digits.

He didn’t take one more attempt – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, however, James chose to make the pass instead.

The basketball deities, when you play it the right way, they tend to bless you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Monumental Streak

The record began over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the greatest streak of its kind in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. He could have shot but due to his nature as a player and his character as an individual, he executed the pass, found Rui and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a formality long before the final period. During James’s streak, he had reached ten points by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times before this game.

However, two such single-digit games after three periods had occurred just days before: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – yet he was celebrating anyway.

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James declared. If you make the unselfish play, the sports deities forever returning the favor.”