🔗 Share this article

LeBron James was aware his historic streak of scoring in double figures was at risk. In that crucial moment, however, it didn't concern him.

The smart move involved passing the basketball – and he executed. Consequently, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, finding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“None,” James stated when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Play Delivers the Game

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the game – and extended his record – on the final possession, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James celebrated immediately.

It's about playing the game correctly. Always make the correct play,” James noted. That has always been my philosophy. It's how I was instructed to play. That's what I've done for two decades.”

James is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored during a game,” stated the team's head coach the coach. He made the play as he has done so many times.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the contest for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the win along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to level the contest and missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go that might have gotten him to double digits.

He passed up another shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate gave James the ball with a few seconds left, but James chose to dish it off instead.

The basketball deities, if you approach it correctly, they tend to bless you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Monumental Run

This incredible run began back in January 2007. It was easily the greatest double-digit streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. He could have shot but because of his nature as a player and his character off the court, he chose the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a formality well before the final period. During James’s streak, he had attained double figures by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

However, two such games below ten points after three periods took place recently: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – yet he was celebrating all the same.

I only ever make the correct play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James declared. “You make the smart play, the basketball gods forever giving back to me.”