🔗 Share this article

The Lakers star knew his monumental streak of reaching double digits was at risk. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play was to pass the rock – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run finished.

LeBron's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points concluded during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“None,” James replied after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Team-First Choice Seals Victory

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – and preserved his record – with the last shot, instead, he decided to dish the ball to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James celebrated immediately.

You have to play the game correctly. Make the correct play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my M.O.. That’s how I was taught the game. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

James is acutely aware of how many points he has at any point,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done countless times.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time with just over five minutes left, the win along with the historic run up for grabs. At that stage, he had a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He scored with 1:46 left to level the contest and missed a shot with 1:01 left which could have pushed him to ten points.

He passed up one more attempt – but could have. A teammate found him with a few seconds left, however, James decided to make the pass instead.

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

A Look Back at a Monumental Run

James's streak began on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the greatest streak of its kind in NBA history: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the sport. He could have shot but because of his nature as a player and his personality as a person, he made the pass, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually a formality long before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had achieved double figures by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

However, two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters had happened in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – and he celebrated all the same.

I only ever make the right play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods are always giving back to me.”