🔗 Share this article

The Lakers star knew his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was threatened. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move involved passing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with a mere eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He provided the decisive pass, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“None,” James replied after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Choice Seals the Game

James could have tried to secure the game – and preserved the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, and James exulted triumphantly.

“Just playing basketball the right way. You always make the correct play,” James explained. That is my philosophy. That’s how I was instructed to play. I've played that way throughout my career.”

“LeBron is very conscious of how many points he has at any point,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has throughout his career.”

The Record's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win and the streak up for grabs. His tally was a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field then.

He scored at 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a shot with 1:01 left that would have pushed him to ten points.

He didn’t take another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball in the waning seconds, however, James opted to dish it off instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you do it the right way, they tend to reward you,” Redick stated.

The History of an Unparalleled Run

This incredible run began back in January 2007. It was, by far the longest double-digit streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but given his nature as a player and his character off the court, he made the team play, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”

Reaching double digits was usually a formality early in the final period. Throughout his run, he had attained double figures by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

However, two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had happened just days before: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it concluded – but he still rejoiced anyway.

My focus is to make the correct play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James said. When you make the unselfish play, the sports deities consistently returning the favor.”