🔗 Share this article

LeBron James was aware his historic run of reaching double digits was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move involved passing the rock – and he executed. Consequently, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped during a recent game, when the league's career points king had only a mere eight points during the Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the game-winning assist, finding teammate Rui Hachimura for a triple at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James stated after being questioned on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Play Seals Victory

He might have sought to clinch the contest – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to dish the ball to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Rui connected, with LeBron exulted triumphantly.

It's about playing the game correctly. You always make the right play,” James noted. That has always been my philosophy. That is the way I was taught the game. I’ve done that my whole career.”

He is very conscious of how many points he has at any point,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done countless times.”

The Record's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time at just over five minutes left, the win and the streak up for grabs. At that stage, he had only six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a 14-footer with one minute to go that might have taken him into double figures.

He passed up one more attempt – but could have. A teammate found him with a few seconds left, yet LeBron opted to dish it off instead of shooting.

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

The History of a Staggering Run

The record began back in January 2007. It was, by far the most extended double-digit streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays hoops. He could have shot but given the player he is and just who he is off the court, he chose the pass, found Rui and secured the game.”

Getting to ten points was usually a guarantee well before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had achieved double figures entering the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

Yet two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters took place just days before: He had nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in preserve the record against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – yet he was celebrating anyway.

“I always just make the best play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James declared. “You make the smart play, the game gods are always giving back to me.”