🔗 Share this article

James understood his historic streak of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move was to pass the basketball – so he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record finished.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances was snapped during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight total points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, finding Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer to win the game.

“Zero,” James replied in response on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Selfless Play Seals Victory

He might have attempted to win the contest – while also extending his record – on the final possession, but he chose to dish the ball to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura sank it, prompting James celebrated immediately.

“Just playing the game the proper way. You always make the right play,” James remarked. That is my philosophy. It's how I was taught to play. I've played that way my whole career.”

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

The Streak's Closing Chapter

He returned to the floor one last time with just over five minutes left, the result along with the historic run up for grabs. His tally was only six points from 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a shot with one minute to go that would have taken him into double figures.

He avoided taking another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, yet LeBron opted to make the pass instead of shooting.

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

Reflecting on a Monumental Record

James's streak commenced back in January 2007. It was, by far the most extended such streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.

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

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but because of who he is on the court and just who he is as an individual, he executed the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been an afterthought long before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had attained double figures by the start of the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

However, two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had occurred in the last week: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – and he celebrated anyway.

“I always just make the best play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James said. When you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods are always rewarding me.”