🔗 Share this article

James understood his incredible run of reaching double digits was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move involved passing the basketball – so he did. Following that play, his remarkable run finished.

LeBron's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded during a recent game, when the league's career points king finished with eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer to win the game.

“None,” James replied in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Choice Seals the Win

He might have tried to secure the contest – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to Rui on the wing. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron celebrated immediately.

You have to play basketball the proper way. Always make the correct play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my M.O.. That is the way I was taught to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

“LeBron is very conscious exactly how many points he has at any point,” said Lakers coach the coach. “He did it just as he has so many times.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the floor for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win along with the historic run on the line. His tally was a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left that would have taken him to double digits.

He passed up one more attempt – but could have. A teammate found him with a few seconds left, yet LeBron chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the right way, they will bless you,” the coach concluded.

The History of a Staggering Streak

James's streak started back in January 2007. It was easily the greatest double-digit streak in professional basketball: MJ previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list at 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but because of who he is on the court and just who he is as an individual, he made the team play, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had attained double figures by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

But two such single-digit games through three quarters took place in the last week: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. One game later, it was over – and he celebrated anyway.

I only ever make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. When you make the smart play, the game gods forever returning the favor.”