🔗 Share this article

LeBron James was aware his incredible streak of reaching double digits was threatened. In that crucial moment, however, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play involved passing the ball – and he executed. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record was over.

James's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances concluded this past Thursday, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple to win the game.

“Zero,” James replied after being questioned about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Team-First Decision Delivers the Game

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – and preserved his record – with the last shot, but he chose to make the extra pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James celebrated with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Make the smart play,” James explained. That is how I operate. It's how I was taught the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

He is very conscious of his point total he has during a game,” said the team's head coach the coach. He acted as he has done throughout his career.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the floor one last time with just over five minutes left, the outcome and his personal record both hanging in the balance. His tally was 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 but then missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that would have gotten him into double figures.

He passed up one more attempt – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves passed him the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the right way, they tend to bless you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Run

The record commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the greatest double-digit streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

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

He simply plays the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but because of his nature as a player and his personality off the court, he executed the team play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually a guarantee long before the final period. During James’s streak, he had attained the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

But two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had occurred recently: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, and then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. In the following contest, it concluded – but he still rejoiced regardless.

“I always just make the best play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James declared. “You make the right play, the game gods forever giving back to me.”