🔗 Share this article

James understood his monumental streak of reaching double digits was in danger. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the rock – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run was over.

LeBron's staggering run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances ended this past Thursday, as basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight total points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close win against Toronto. He provided the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James replied when asked about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Decision Delivers the Win

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – and extended the streak – on the final possession, instead, he decided to pass to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron raised his arms immediately.

It's about playing basketball the right way. Always make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been how I operate. That’s how I was instructed the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

He is very conscious of his point total he's scored at all times,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He made the play just as he has so many times.”

The Streak's End Game

James re-entered the contest one last time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome along with the historic run on the line. At that stage, he had a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a shot at one minute to go that would have pushed him to double digits.

He didn’t take one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, but James chose to dish it off instead.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it correctly, they often reward you,” Redick added.

The History of a Staggering Record

This incredible run began over eighteen years ago. It was easily the most extended such streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded of 575 games.

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

He simply plays the sport. He had the opportunity but due to the player he is and his character as a person, he made the team play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a formality well before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had achieved ten points by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

However, two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods took place just days before: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six points going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. The very next outing, it was over – and he celebrated all the same.

“I always just make the correct play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James said. “You make the smart play, the game gods are always rewarding me.”