🔗 Share this article

LeBron James was aware his monumental run of reaching double digits was threatened. At the decisive instant, though, it was not his focus.

The right decision meant distributing the rock – and he executed. Following that play, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended this past Thursday, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight points during the Lakers' close win against Toronto. He provided the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James said after being questioned about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Decision Seals the Win

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the game – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, but he chose to dish the ball to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James celebrated immediately.

It's about playing the game the right way. Always make the smart play,” James noted. That is my M.O.. It's how I was taught to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

James is very conscious of his point total he's scored at all times,” said Lakers coach the coach. He acted as he has done so many times.”

The Run's End Game

James re-entered the floor for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the result along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. His tally was a mere six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to tie the game and missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left which could have pushed him into double figures.

He avoided taking one more attempt – even though he had a chance. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, however, James chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the right way, they will bless you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Run

James's streak started back in January 2007. It stood as the most extended streak of its kind in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the sport. The chance was there but because of who he is on the court and his personality off the court, he chose the unselfish play, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought early in the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

Yet two of those rare single-digit games after three periods took place recently: He had nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six points going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it concluded – yet he was celebrating all the same.

My focus is to make the best play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James said. When you make the right play, the game gods consistently rewarding me.”