🔗 Share this article

The Lakers star knew his historic streak of scoring in double figures was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move involved passing the rock – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points concluded during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the clutch helper, finding teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“None,” James replied in response on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Decision Delivers Victory

He might have attempted to win the game – and extended the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, and James raised his arms triumphantly.

It's about playing the game correctly. You always make the smart play,” James remarked. That has always been my philosophy. It's how I learned the game. I've played that way for two decades.”

James is very conscious of how many points he's scored during a game,” said the team's head coach the coach. He acted just as he has countless times.”

The Streak's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win along with the historic run on the line. At that stage, he had a mere six points on 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a shot with 1:01 left which could have taken him to double digits.

He avoided taking one more attempt – but could have. A teammate passed him the ball as time wound down, however, James decided to make the pass instead.

The basketball deities, if you approach it the proper way, they will repay you,” the coach concluded.

The History of an Unparalleled Record

James's streak started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the most extended such streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. He could have shot but because of who he is on the court and his personality as an individual, he made the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been a guarantee long before the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had attained the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times before this game.

But two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had happened recently: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

My focus is to make the correct play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James said. If you make the unselfish play, the game gods forever returning the favor.”