🔗 Share this article

LeBron James was aware his historic run of putting up 10+ points was at risk. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move was to pass the basketball – and he executed. With that selfless act, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances was snapped on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer finished with a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot as time expired.

“Zero,” James replied when asked about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Play Seals the Win

James could have sought to clinch the game – while also extending the streak – with the last shot, but he chose to pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron raised his arms immediately.

It's about playing the game the proper way. Always make the correct play,” James explained. That is my M.O.. That is the way I was instructed to play. I've played that way throughout my career.”

“LeBron is very conscious of his point total he has at all times,” stated Lakers coach the coach. He made the play as he has done throughout his career.”

The Run's End Game

James re-entered the game for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the win and the streak on the line. He had six points on a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to tie the game but then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go that would have taken him into double figures.

He passed up another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate gave James the ball with a few seconds left, but James decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

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

The History of a Monumental Run

The record began over eighteen years ago. It stood as the most extended such streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

He is such an unselfish player,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but due to his nature as a player and just who he is as an individual, he chose the pass, found Rui and secured the game.”

Reaching double digits was usually an afterthought long before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had attained the 10-point mark entering the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

Yet two such games below ten points after three periods took place just days before: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

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

I only ever make the best play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James said. If you make the right play, the basketball gods are always returning the favor.”