The King's Historic Scoring Run Comes to a Close, Yet Lakers Claim Triumph Against Raptors.

LeBron James was aware his historic streak of reaching double digits was at risk. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play involved passing the basketball – so he did. Consequently, the legendary streak was over.

LeBron's staggering run of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances was snapped during a recent game, when the league's career points king had only a mere eight points during the Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James stated in response on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Decision Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the game – while also extending the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron raised his arms triumphantly.

“Just playing the game correctly. You always make the smart play,” James remarked. That is how I operate. It's how I was instructed the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has during a game,” commented the team's head coach the coach. “He did it as he has done throughout his career.”

The Run's Final Moments

He returned to the contest for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the win along with the historic run up for grabs. He had six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a shot at 1:01 left that would have gotten him to double digits.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, however, James chose to make the pass instead.

The basketball deities, when you play it the proper way, they often reward you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Monumental Streak

This incredible run commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the longest such streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

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

Reaching double digits was usually a guarantee early in the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had reached ten points entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

However, two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods had occurred in the last week: He recorded nine going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it concluded – yet he was celebrating regardless.

“I always just make the right play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James declared. If you make the right play, the sports deities forever giving back to me.”