The King's Legendary Point-Scoring Streak Comes to a Close, But Los Angeles Secure Win Over Toronto.

LeBron James was aware his monumental run of scoring in double figures was at risk. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move involved passing the rock – so he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record was over.

James's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten concluded on Thursday night, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

“None,” James stated when asked on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Choice Delivers the Game

James could have attempted to win the game – and preserved his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron raised his arms triumphantly.

You have to play the game the proper way. Make the right play,” James explained. That has always been my philosophy. That is the way I learned the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

He is very conscious of how many points he has at any point,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted as he has done so many times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

He returned to the contest one last time at just over five minutes left, the win and the streak on the line. At that stage, he had six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go that might have gotten him to ten points.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron decided to make the extra pass instead.

“The basketball gods, if you do it correctly, they tend to repay you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Monumental Streak

The record began back in January 2007. It stood as the greatest such streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but given the player he is and his character as a person, he executed the pass, found Rui and secured the game.”

Reaching double digits had long been a guarantee early in the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had attained ten points entering the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

Yet two such single-digit games through three quarters had happened in the last week: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it concluded – and he celebrated regardless.

I only ever make the right play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James declared. “You make the smart play, the sports deities are always returning the favor.”