LBJ's Record-Setting Point-Scoring Streak Comes to a Close, However Lakers Claim Victory Against Raptors.

James understood his incredible streak of reaching double digits was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move was to pass the ball – so he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record came to an end.

James's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten concluded on Thursday night, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to a mere eight points during the Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, feeding Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot at the buzzer.

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

A Team-First Play Seals Victory

James could have tried to secure the game – while also extending his record – with the last shot, but he chose to dish the ball to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, and James exulted with his hands in the air.

You have to play basketball the right way. Always make the right play,” James explained. That is how I operate. It's how I was instructed the game. I’ve done that my whole career.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has at all times,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done so many times.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the game for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the result and the streak up for grabs. His tally was only six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to knot the score but then missed a shot at 1:01 left that would have gotten him to double digits.

He passed up another shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron opted to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, when you play it the right way, they will repay you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Monumental Streak

James's streak started over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the longest such streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run with 575.

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

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but given who he is on the court and his personality as a person, he executed the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a formality long before the final period. During James’s streak, he had reached the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

However, two of those rare single-digit games after three periods had occurred just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. The very next outing, it was over – but he still rejoiced all the same.

“I always just make the correct play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. If you make the right play, the game gods consistently rewarding me.”