🔗 Share this article

LeBron James was aware his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. When it mattered most, however, it didn't concern him.

The smart move involved passing the rock – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the legendary streak was over.

LeBron's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances was snapped during a recent game, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura for a triple to win the game.

“Nothing,” James said after being questioned on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Selfless Decision Seals the Win

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – and extended the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James celebrated triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball the right way. Make the smart play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my M.O.. It's how I was instructed the game. I’ve done that for two decades.”

James is very conscious of his point total he's scored during a game,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done countless times.”

The Run's End Game

He returned to the contest for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the win along with the historic run up for grabs. His tally was a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to level the contest and missed a shot at one minute to go that would have taken him into double figures.

He passed up another shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, but James chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, when you play it correctly, they tend to repay you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Monumental Record

The record started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the greatest streak of its kind in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

He is such a team-oriented player,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but given who he is on the court and just who he is off the court, he executed the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been an afterthought well before the final period. Throughout his run, he had attained the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters took place just days before: He recorded nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, and then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it was over – yet he was celebrating anyway.

My focus is to make the correct play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the sports deities forever giving back to me.”