🔗 Share this article

James understood his incredible streak of reaching double digits was in danger. When it mattered most, however, it was not his focus.

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

LeBron's astounding run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances was snapped this past Thursday, when the league's career points king had only a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He made the game-winning assist, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple to win the game.

“None,” James stated when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Play Delivers the Game

He might have sought to clinch the game – and extended his record – on the final possession, instead, he decided to dish the ball to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, and James celebrated with his hands in the air.

“Just playing basketball correctly. Make the smart play,” James remarked. That is my M.O.. That is the way I learned the game. I've played that way for two decades.”

“LeBron is very conscious of his point total he has at any point,” stated Lakers coach the coach. “He did it just as he has countless times.”

The Record's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game one last time with just over five minutes left, the result and the streak up for grabs. At that stage, he had a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left that would have pushed him to double digits.

He didn’t take another shot – but could have. A teammate found him with a few seconds left, however, James opted to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

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

The History of an Unparalleled Streak

The record began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the longest such streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and Karl Malone recorded of 575 games.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the sport. The chance was there but due to who he is on the court and his personality off the court, he chose the pass, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a formality long before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had reached ten points by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had happened in the last week: He recorded nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – but he still rejoiced all the same.

“I always just make the correct play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James said. When you make the right play, the game gods forever rewarding me.”