LeBron James's Legendary Point-Scoring Run Ends, But Los Angeles Secure Triumph Against Raptors.

The Lakers star knew his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was threatened. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play involved passing the basketball – so he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record came to an end.

James's staggering run of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points ended on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer had only a mere eight points in the Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He made the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer to win the game.

“Zero,” James stated in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Selfless Choice Secures the Game

James could have attempted to win the contest – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to dish the ball to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron celebrated triumphantly.

“Just playing basketball correctly. Make the right play,” James explained. That has always been my philosophy. That’s how I learned the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of his point total he's scored at any point,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done so many times.”

The Run's Final Moments

He returned to the floor for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the win and his personal record up for grabs. He had a mere six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a shot with one minute to go that might have taken him to double digits.

He passed up a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, but James decided to make the extra pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the right way, they will reward you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Record

James's streak started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the most extended streak of its kind the league has ever seen: MJ previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the sport. He could have shot but given who he is on the court and just who he is as an individual, he executed the team play, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits had long been a guarantee long before the final period. Throughout his run, he had reached ten points by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those rare single-digit games after three periods had occurred recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

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