The King's Legendary Scoring Run Ends, Yet Los Angeles Secure Win Over Raptors.

James understood his incredible streak of reaching double digits was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, it was not his focus.

The smart move meant distributing the rock – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He provided the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James stated when asked about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Team-First Choice Seals the Win

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the game – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, instead, he decided to dish the ball to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, and James celebrated with his hands in the air.

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

“LeBron is very conscious of how many points he has at any point,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done so many times.”

The Record's Final Moments

He returned to the game one last time at 5:23 remaining, the win along with the historic run on the line. At that stage, he had six points from 3 for 15 from the field then.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go which could have pushed him to ten points.

He didn’t take another shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate gave James the ball as time wound down, but James decided to make the pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it correctly, they will reward you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Record

This incredible run commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the most extended such streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the sport. He had the opportunity but because of who he is on the court and his character as an individual, he chose the pass, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a guarantee early in the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had achieved ten points by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

But two such single-digit games through three quarters had happened just days before: He recorded nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – and he celebrated regardless.

I only ever make the correct play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James declared. When you make the right play, the game gods forever giving back to me.”