🔗 Share this article

James understood his monumental run of scoring in double figures was threatened. When it mattered most, however, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play involved passing the ball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record came to an end.

James's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances ended this past Thursday, as basketball's greatest scorer had only eight total points in the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot to win the game.

“None,” James stated in response about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Selfless Choice Secures the Win

He might have tried to secure the contest – and preserved his record – with the last shot, but he chose to dish the ball to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron raised his arms with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game the proper way. Always make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been my philosophy. That is the way I was instructed the game. I’ve done that my whole career.”

James is acutely aware of how many points he's scored at all times,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Record's Final Moments

He returned to the floor for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the outcome and his personal record up for grabs. He had a mere six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He scored at 1:46 left to level the contest but then missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go that might have gotten him to double digits.

He passed up one more attempt – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, however, James opted to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it correctly, they often reward you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on a Staggering Record

The record began on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the most extended such streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the sport. He could have shot but because of the player he is and his character as a person, he made the team play, found Rui and claimed the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a guarantee early in the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had reached ten points by the start of the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had happened recently: He recorded nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it concluded – and he celebrated all the same.

My focus is to make the correct play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. When you make the right play, the basketball gods forever rewarding me.”