🔗 Share this article

James understood his monumental run of reaching double digits was in danger. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move meant distributing the rock – so he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record came to an end.

James's astounding run of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points concluded on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He delivered the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“None,” James said in response about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Decision Seals Victory

James could have tried to secure the game – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, and James raised his arms triumphantly.

“Just playing basketball the right way. Always make the correct play,” James explained. “That’s just been how I operate. It's how I was taught to play. I've played that way my whole career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has during a game,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done so many times.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the contest for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome and his personal record up for grabs. At that stage, he had a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field then.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to tie the game then missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that would have taken him to double digits.

He avoided taking another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, however, James decided to make the pass instead of shooting.

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

A Look Back at a Monumental Run

The record started over eighteen years ago. It was easily the most extended double-digit streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone recorded of 575 games.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the sport. He could have shot but due to his nature as a player and just who he is off the court, he chose the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually an afterthought well before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had attained ten points by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

Yet two such single-digit games through three quarters had occurred in the last week: He recorded nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record against the Suns. The very next outing, it concluded – but he still rejoiced regardless.

I only ever make the best play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. When you make the right play, the basketball gods are always giving back to me.”