🔗 Share this article

James understood his historic run of scoring in double figures was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision involved passing the ball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the legendary streak was over.

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances was snapped during a recent game, when the league's career points king finished with a mere eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple at the buzzer.

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

A Selfless Choice Delivers Victory

He might have tried to secure the game – while also extending his record – with the last shot, but he chose to dish the ball to Hachimura on the wing. Rui connected, with LeBron exulted with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Always make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I learned to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of his point total he has at all times,” said the team's head coach the coach. He acted like he’s done countless times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the floor for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the win along with the historic run up for grabs. At that stage, he had only six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.

He scored at 1:46 left to level the contest and missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go that would have pushed him into double figures.

He passed up one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron decided to make the pass instead of shooting.

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

The History of an Unparalleled Streak

James's streak started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the greatest such streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

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

“He’s just playing hoops. He could have shot but given the player he is and just who he is as a person, he chose the team play, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had reached double figures by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

But two such games below ten points through three quarters took place in the last week: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – yet he was celebrating regardless.

My focus is to make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James said. If you make the unselfish play, the sports deities are always returning the favor.”