🔗 Share this article

The Lakers star knew his monumental run of reaching double digits was in danger. When it mattered most, however, it was not his focus.

The right decision was to pass the ball – and he executed. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record came to an end.

James's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight total points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

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

A Team-First Play Seals the Win

James could have attempted to win the contest – and extended his record – on the final possession, yet he opted to dish the ball to Rui on the wing. Rui connected, prompting James exulted triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball the right way. You always make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been how I operate. It's how I was taught the game. I’ve done that my whole career.”

James is very conscious of how many points he has at all times,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has throughout his career.”

The Run's End Game

LeBron checked back into the contest one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. He had a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to knot the score but then missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left which could have taken him to ten points.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, but James decided to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it correctly, they will bless you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Record

This incredible run started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the most extended double-digit streak the league has ever seen: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run with 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing hoops. The chance was there but because of his nature as a player and just who he is as a person, he made the team play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been an afterthought early in the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had reached ten points by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had happened in the last week: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. One game later, it was over – and he celebrated regardless.

I only ever make the right play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James said. If you make the smart play, the sports deities consistently returning the favor.”