🔗 Share this article

LeBron James was aware his monumental run of reaching double digits was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move involved passing the rock – so he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten ended during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight total points in the Lakers' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He made the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer at the buzzer.

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

A Team-First Choice Seals Victory

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – while also extending the streak – with the last shot, but he chose to dish the ball to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron exulted with his hands in the air.

“Just playing basketball the proper way. You always make the right play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. It's how I was instructed to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

He is very conscious of how many points he's scored at all times,” commented Lakers coach the coach. “He did it just as he has countless times.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the game for the final time at just over five minutes left, the win and his personal record both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had only six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a shot with one minute to go which could have taken him into double figures.

He didn’t take another shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, but James decided to dish it off instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, when you play it the right way, they often repay you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Record

This incredible run began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the longest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. The chance was there but given the player he is and his character off the court, he chose the team play, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually an afterthought well before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had reached the 10-point mark entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

But two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had happened just days before: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to preserve the record against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – yet he was celebrating anyway.

My focus is to make the best play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James declared. When you make the right play, the game gods forever returning the favor.”