🔗 Share this article

LeBron James was aware his historic run of reaching double digits was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move involved passing the rock – and he executed. With that selfless act, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten was snapped during a recent game, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He provided the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“None,” James stated in response about the streak ending. “We won.”

An Unselfish Decision Delivers Victory

James could have tried to secure the game – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, but he chose to dish the ball to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron raised his arms with his hands in the air.

“Just playing basketball the right way. Make the smart play,” James explained. “That’s just been my M.O.. It's how I was instructed to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

“LeBron is very conscious of how many points he's scored during a game,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He acted just as he has throughout his career.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the game for the final time at just over five minutes left, the result and his personal record up for grabs. His tally was only six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left that would have gotten him to double digits.

He passed up a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, however, James opted to dish it off instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, when you play it the right way, they often repay you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Run

The record commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the greatest such streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded at 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the sport. He could have shot but given his nature as a player and his personality off the court, he executed the pass, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually an afterthought long before the final period. During James’s streak, he had achieved ten points by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

However, two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods took place in the last week: He had nine points going into the fourth against Dallas last week, then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – and he celebrated regardless.

I only ever make the best play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James affirmed. If you make the right play, the sports deities are always rewarding me.”