LBJ's Record-Setting Point-Scoring Streak Ends, However Lakers Pull Off Win Against Toronto.

LeBron James was aware his historic streak of reaching double digits was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move involved passing the rock – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record finished.

LeBron's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten ended on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight points during the Lakers' close win against Toronto. He provided the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James replied in response about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Play Secures the Win

James could have tried to secure the game – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron celebrated with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game the right way. Make the smart play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my M.O.. That is the way I was taught to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of his point total he's scored at any point,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted like he’s done countless times.”

The Run's Final Moments

He returned to the game for the final time at just over five minutes left, the win and the streak up for grabs. He had a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He scored at 1:46 left to knot the score but then missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go which could have pushed him to ten points.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, but James opted to make the pass instead.

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

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Run

The record began back in January 2007. It was easily the most extended streak of its kind in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

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

“He’s just playing the sport. He had the opportunity but due to his nature as a player and just who he is as an individual, he chose the team play, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been an afterthought well before the final period. During James’s streak, he had achieved double figures by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those rare single-digit games after three periods had happened in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it was over – and he celebrated all the same.

My focus is to make the best play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James said. If you make the right play, the game gods are always rewarding me.”