🔗 Share this article

LeBron James was aware his incredible run of reaching double digits was at risk. When it mattered most, however, it was not his focus.

The smart move meant distributing the ball – so he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended during a recent game, as the league's career points king finished with eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura for a triple at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James stated when asked on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Play Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the game – and extended the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron exulted immediately.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Make the correct play,” James remarked. That is my M.O.. That’s how I learned to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of how many points he has at all times,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He made the play as he has done throughout his career.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the contest one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the result and the streak on the line. His tally was a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left that might have gotten him to ten points.

He passed up one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball as time wound down, but James chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you approach it correctly, they often bless you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Record

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

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

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but because of the player he is and his character as a person, he made the team play, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a guarantee long before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had achieved double figures entering the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

But two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had happened just days before: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it concluded – yet he was celebrating regardless.

“I always just make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. “You make the smart play, the basketball gods are always rewarding me.”