LeBron James's Legendary Scoring Streak Comes to a Close, Yet Los Angeles Pull Off Victory Against Toronto.

James understood his incredible streak of putting up 10+ points was threatened. At the decisive instant, however, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move was to pass the basketball – so he did. Following that play, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight total points in the Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He made the game-winning assist, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James said in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

An Unselfish Choice Seals Victory

James could have tried to secure the game – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, but he chose to pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, and James exulted triumphantly.

“Just playing basketball the proper way. Make the right play,” James noted. That is how I operate. That is the way I was instructed to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

James is fully cognizant of his point total he's scored during a game,” stated the team's head coach the coach. He made the play as he has done throughout his career.”

The Run's End Game

James re-entered the contest one last time at just over five minutes left, the outcome along with the historic run up for grabs. His tally was six points from 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a 14-footer with one minute to go that might have gotten him into double figures.

He avoided taking another shot – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball in the waning seconds, but James decided to dish it off instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you do it correctly, they will reward you,” Redick added.

The History of a Monumental Run

This incredible run began over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the longest streak of its kind in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

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

He focuses on playing the sport. The chance was there but due to his nature as a player and his character off the court, he executed the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Reaching double digits had long been a guarantee long before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had reached ten points by the start of the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

However, two such single-digit games through three quarters took place recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. One game later, it was over – and he celebrated anyway.

I only ever make the correct play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James said. If you make the smart play, the basketball gods consistently giving back to me.”