🔗 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 right decision involved passing the rock – and he executed. Consequently, his remarkable run finished.

James's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten was snapped during a recent game, as basketball's greatest scorer was limited to a mere eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, finding teammate Rui Hachimura for a triple at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James said in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Play Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – and preserved the streak – with the last shot, yet he opted to make the extra pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron celebrated immediately.

You have to play basketball correctly. You always make the smart play,” James remarked. That is my philosophy. That’s how I learned to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of his point total he's scored during a game,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted as he has done countless times.”

The Run's Final Moments

James re-entered the floor one last time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome along with the historic run up for grabs. His tally was only six points on 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a shot at 1:01 left that would have taken him to double digits.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, but James opted to dish it off instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the right way, they tend to reward you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Monumental Streak

James's streak began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the greatest streak of its kind in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the game of basketball. He could have shot but due to his nature as a player and his personality off the court, he chose the team play, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a formality well before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had achieved the 10-point mark entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

But two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods had occurred in the last week: He recorded nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, and then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it concluded – but he still rejoiced anyway.

My focus is to make the right play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James said. “You make the right play, the sports deities forever giving back to me.”