🔗 Share this article

The Lakers star knew his incredible run of reaching double digits was at risk. When it mattered most, however, it didn't concern him.

The smart move meant distributing the rock – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points ended during a recent game, as the league's career points king finished with eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a triple to win the game.

“Zero,” James replied after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Selfless Play Delivers the Win

He might have sought to clinch the game – and extended the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James exulted with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball the right way. Make the right play,” James noted. That is how I operate. That is the way I learned the game. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

“LeBron is very conscious of his point total he's scored at all times,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has so many times.”

The Run's Final Moments

He returned to the floor one last time with just over five minutes left, the win and his personal record both hanging in the balance. He had only six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to level the contest and missed a shot with 1:01 left that would have taken him to ten points.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate found him with a few seconds left, however, James decided to dish it off instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you approach it the proper way, they will reward you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Staggering Run

The record commenced back in January 2007. It was easily the most extended such streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

He is such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing hoops. He had the opportunity but given the player he is and just who he is off the court, he executed the team play, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points had long been a formality early in the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had achieved ten points by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

But two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods had happened recently: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. One game later, it was over – and he celebrated all the same.

My focus is to make the correct play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the smart play, the basketball gods consistently giving back to me.”