LBJ's Record-Setting Scoring Run Ends, However Lakers Claim Win Against Toronto.

LeBron James was aware his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was in danger. When it mattered most, however, it didn't concern him.

The right decision involved passing the ball – so he did. Following that play, his remarkable run was over.

James's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded on Thursday night, as the league's career points king was limited to eight total points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, feeding Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot to win the game.

“None,” James replied in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Team-First Play Secures Victory

James could have tried to secure the contest – and preserved the streak – with the last shot, yet he opted to make the extra pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James celebrated immediately.

You have to play the game the proper way. Always make the smart play,” James remarked. “That’s just been how I operate. It's how I learned to play. That's what I've done for two decades.”

He is very conscious exactly how many points he has during a game,” said the team's head coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Record's Final Moments

James re-entered the floor one last time with 5:23 remaining, the result and the streak both hanging in the balance. He had only six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a shot with one minute to go which could have gotten him to double digits.

He didn’t take one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate gave James the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron decided to make the pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you do it correctly, they often reward you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Staggering Run

The record commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the most extended such streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run with 575.

He is such an unselfish player,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but because of his nature as a player and his personality off the court, he made the pass, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually a formality well before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had achieved double figures by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

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

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it was over – but he still rejoiced all the same.

I only ever make the correct play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. When you make the right play, the game gods forever rewarding me.”