🔗 Share this article

James understood his monumental streak of reaching double digits was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, it was not his focus.

The smart move involved passing the basketball – and he executed. Following that play, the unprecedented record came to an end.

James's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances was snapped on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight points in the Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, feeding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James said when asked on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Selfless Decision Delivers the Win

He might have attempted to win the game – and extended his record – with the last shot, but he chose to pass to Rui in the left corner. Rui connected, and James celebrated with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball the right way. Always make the smart play,” James remarked. That is my philosophy. It's how I was taught the game. I’ve done that my whole career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of how many points he has during a game,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted just as he has so many times.”

The Record's End Game

LeBron checked back into the contest one last time at just over five minutes left, the result along with the historic run on the line. He had a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a shot at one minute to go that might have pushed him into double figures.

He avoided taking one more attempt – even though he had a chance. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron opted to make the pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the proper way, they will bless you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Run

This incredible run began back in January 2007. It was, by far the greatest such streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and The Mailman recorded with 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but given his nature as a player and his personality off the court, he executed the team play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been an afterthought well before the final period. Throughout his run, he had achieved ten points by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times before this game.

However, two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had occurred in the last week: He recorded nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

He succeeded in extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – and he celebrated regardless.

My focus is to make the right play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. “You make the unselfish play, the game gods consistently returning the favor.”