The King's Legendary Point-Scoring Run Concludes, Yet Lakers Claim Win Over Raptors.

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

The correct basketball play was to pass the basketball – so he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten concluded during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with a mere eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the clutch helper, finding Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer to win the game.

“Nothing,” James replied after being questioned on the record concluding. “We won.”

An Unselfish Play Seals Victory

James could have attempted to win the contest – and extended his record – with the last shot, but he chose to dish the ball to Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James raised his arms triumphantly.

“Just playing the game the proper way. Make the right play,” James remarked. That is my M.O.. That’s how I was taught the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of his point total he's scored at any point,” said Lakers coach the coach. He acted as he has done throughout his career.”

The Record's Final Moments

James re-entered the game one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and his personal record both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to level the contest but then missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go that might have gotten him to double digits.

He passed up a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, yet LeBron chose to dish it off instead.

The spirits of the game, when you play it the right way, they often repay you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Monumental Streak

James's streak started on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the longest streak of its kind in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

He is such an unselfish player,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing hoops. The chance was there but given his nature as a player and his personality off the court, he chose the pass, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a guarantee early in the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had attained double figures by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

However, two such games below ten points through three quarters had happened in the last week: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. One game later, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

My focus is to make the best play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James declared. “You make the smart play, the game gods are always rewarding me.”