LBJ's Legendary Scoring Run Comes to a Close, But Lakers Pull Off Win Against Toronto.

LeBron James was aware his monumental run of scoring in double figures was threatened. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision was to pass the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances ended during a recent game, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, feeding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot as time expired.

“Nothing,” James stated when asked on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Play Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – while also extending the streak – with the last shot, yet he opted to pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron raised his arms immediately.

“Just playing basketball the right way. Always make the right play,” James explained. That is my M.O.. That’s how I was instructed the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has during a game,” commented Lakers coach the coach. “He did it just as he has so many times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

He returned to the floor one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win and the streak on the line. He had six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a shot with one minute to go which could have taken him to ten points.

He passed up a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, yet LeBron opted to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the right way, they will repay you,” Redick added.

The History of an Unparalleled Streak

The record began on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the longest such streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the sport. He had the opportunity but because of the player he is and just who he is as a person, he made the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had reached double figures entering the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

But two such games below ten points through three quarters had happened recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. One game later, it was over – yet he was celebrating regardless.

My focus is to make the best play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James said. If you make the smart play, the basketball gods forever giving back to me.”