🔗 Share this article

LeBron James was aware his historic streak of reaching double digits was at risk. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points was snapped this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight points during the Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He made the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James stated in response about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Choice Secures the Win

James could have sought to clinch the contest – and preserved his record – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to his teammate on the wing. Rui connected, prompting James raised his arms immediately.

“Just playing the game the proper way. Always make the correct play,” James explained. “That’s just been how I operate. That is the way I learned to play. I've played that way throughout my career.”

He is fully cognizant of his point total he has at any point,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted as he has done countless times.”

The Run's Final Moments

He returned to the contest one last time at 5:23 remaining, the result and the streak both hanging in the balance. He had only six points on 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He scored at 1:46 left to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go that might have gotten him into double figures.

He passed up another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball in the waning seconds, but James opted to dish it off instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it correctly, they often repay you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at a Staggering Streak

James's streak began back in January 2007. It stood as the greatest streak of its kind in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded with 575.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” remarked Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays hoops. He could have shot but given his nature as a player and his character as a person, he made the pass, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a guarantee early in the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had achieved double figures by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

However, two of those rare single-digit games after three periods had happened recently: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

He succeeded in preserve the record against the Suns. In the following contest, it concluded – but he still rejoiced regardless.

My focus is to make the correct play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. When you make the right play, the basketball gods forever returning the favor.”