LeBron James's Historic Scoring Streak Comes to a Close, Yet Lakers Secure Triumph Over Raptors.

The Lakers star knew his monumental streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play involved passing the rock – so he did. Consequently, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's staggering run of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances was snapped this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer had only a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James said in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Decision Delivers the Win

James could have sought to clinch the game – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, but he chose to dish the ball to Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James raised his arms triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the proper way. Make the correct play,” James explained. That is how I operate. It's how I was taught the game. I’ve done that my whole career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored during a game,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the game for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome and the streak on the line. He had six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a 14-footer with one minute to go which could have gotten him into double figures.

He passed up another shot – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball in the waning seconds, but James chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the proper way, they often bless you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Run

The record started over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the longest such streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded at 575.

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

He focuses on playing the sport. He had the opportunity but because of the player he is and just who he is off the court, he executed the team play, passed it to Rui and we won the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a formality well before the final period. During James’s streak, he had reached the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

Yet two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods had occurred just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

I only ever make the correct play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James said. “You make the smart play, the sports deities are always giving back to me.”