🔗 Share this article

James understood his historic streak of reaching double digits was at risk. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The right decision meant distributing the basketball – and he executed. Following that play, the legendary streak was over.

James's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten was snapped this past Thursday, as basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“None,” James said when asked about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Choice Secures Victory

He might have sought to clinch the contest – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to dish the ball to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron raised his arms with his hands in the air.

“Just playing basketball the proper way. You always make the right play,” James remarked. That is my philosophy. That’s how I learned the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

He is acutely aware of his point total he has during a game,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted like he’s done countless times.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

He returned to the contest one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome along with the historic run on the line. His tally was a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to tie the game then missed a shot with 1:01 left that would have gotten him to double digits.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate found him as time wound down, yet LeBron decided to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, when you play it the proper way, they will bless you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Staggering Streak

James's streak began over eighteen years ago. It stood as the most extended such streak in NBA history: MJ previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

He is such an unselfish player,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the sport. The chance was there but because of the player he is and just who he is off the court, he chose the team play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the game.”

Reaching double digits was usually a formality early in the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had reached the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

But two of those rare single-digit games after three periods took place recently: He had nine points going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. One game later, it was over – but he still rejoiced anyway.

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. “You make the smart play, the basketball gods consistently rewarding me.”