🔗 Share this article

The Lakers star knew his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was threatened. When it mattered most, however, it was not his focus.

The smart move involved passing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, his remarkable run finished.

LeBron's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded during a recent game, when the league's career points king finished with a mere eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, finding Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

“None,” James said after being questioned about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Selfless Decision Secures the Game

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the contest – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, but he chose to make the extra pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Rui connected, prompting James celebrated triumphantly.

You have to play the game correctly. You always make the correct play,” James noted. That has always been my philosophy. It's how I was taught the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored during a game,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He made the play just as he has throughout his career.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the outcome and his personal record both hanging in the balance. He had only six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He scored with 1:46 left to tie the game and missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that might have pushed him into double figures.

He avoided taking one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball as time wound down, but James decided to make the extra pass instead.

The basketball deities, if you do it the right way, they tend to reward you,” the coach concluded.

The History of an Unparalleled Record

The record began back in January 2007. It stood as the most extended such streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list of 575 games.

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

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but because of the player he is and his personality as an individual, he executed the team play, found Rui and secured the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had attained ten points entering the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

Yet two such games below ten points through three quarters had happened in the last week: He had nine points going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it was over – and he celebrated anyway.

“I always just make the correct play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James affirmed. “You make the right play, the game gods forever giving back to me.”