🔗 Share this article

The Lakers star knew his historic run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, it was not his focus.

The right decision involved passing the basketball – so he did. Consequently, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten ended on Thursday night, when the league's career points king had only eight points in the Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

“Nothing,” James replied when asked about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Play Seals the Game

He might have tried to secure the game – and extended his record – on the final possession, but he chose to make the extra pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron exulted triumphantly.

“Just playing basketball the proper way. You always make the correct play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I learned to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

James is acutely aware of his point total he has at any point,” stated Lakers coach the coach. He acted just as he has so many times.”

The Run's Final Moments

He returned to the game for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. His tally was a mere six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a shot with one minute to go that might have gotten him to double digits.

He didn’t take one more attempt – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves gave James the ball with a few seconds left, however, James opted to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

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

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Record

This incredible run began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the most extended such streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run with 575.

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

“He’s just playing hoops. He had the opportunity but due to the player he is and his personality off the court, he made the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been an afterthought well before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had attained ten points by the start of the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters had occurred just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive against the Suns. In the following contest, it concluded – and he celebrated all the same.

“I always just make the correct play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James declared. When you make the right play, the game gods are always rewarding me.”