LBJ's Historic Point-Scoring Streak Comes to a Close, However Los Angeles Pull Off Triumph Over Raptors.

LeBron James was aware his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move was to pass the basketball – so he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended on Thursday night, as the league's career points king finished with eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, feeding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot to win the game.

“Zero,” James replied when asked on the record concluding. “We won.”

An Unselfish Choice Delivers the Win

James could have tried to secure the game – while also extending his record – with the last shot, instead, he decided to pass to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James exulted immediately.

You have to play basketball correctly. Always make the smart play,” James explained. “That’s just been my philosophy. That is the way I learned the game. That's what I've done for two decades.”

James is very conscious of how many points he's scored during a game,” commented Lakers coach the coach. “He did it as he has done throughout his career.”

The Streak's Final Moments

James re-entered the game for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and his personal record on the line. At that stage, he had only six points from 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He scored at 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go that might have taken him to ten points.

He passed up a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball with a few seconds left, however, James chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, when you play it the right way, they will reward you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Record

This incredible run started back in January 2007. It was, by far the greatest double-digit streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the sport. He had the opportunity but due to who he is on the court and his character off the court, he chose the pass, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits had long been a guarantee long before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had achieved double figures entering the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

But two such single-digit games after three periods had occurred just days before: He had nine points going into the fourth against Dallas last week, and then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – yet he was celebrating regardless.

My focus is to make the best play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James said. “You make the right play, the game gods consistently giving back to me.”