🔗 Share this article

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

The smart move involved passing the basketball – so he did. Following that play, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended during a recent game, as the league's career points king had only eight points during the Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He made the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot to win the game.

“Nothing,” James said when asked about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Team-First Play Delivers the Game

James could have sought to clinch the game – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Rui on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron celebrated triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball the right way. Make the smart play,” James explained. That has always been how I operate. It's how I was instructed the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

James is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored at all times,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done so many times.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

He returned to the contest one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result and the streak on the line. He had six points on 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to level the contest but then missed a shot with 1:01 left that would have pushed him to double digits.

He avoided taking one more attempt – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball in the waning seconds, but James decided to make the pass instead of shooting.

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

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Run

This incredible run began over eighteen years ago. It stood as the most extended double-digit streak in NBA history: MJ previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the game of basketball. He could have shot but given who he is on the court and just who he is as a person, he executed the team play, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points had long been an afterthought long before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had attained ten points by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

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

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it was over – yet he was celebrating regardless.

“I always just make the correct play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James declared. If you make the right play, the basketball gods forever returning the favor.”