The King's Legendary Scoring Streak Ends, Yet Lakers Claim Triumph Against Toronto.

LeBron James was aware his incredible streak of reaching double digits was threatened. At the decisive instant, though, it was not his focus.

The right decision was to pass the ball – so he did. Following that play, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points was snapped this past Thursday, as the league's career points king had only a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He provided the decisive pass, feeding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer to win the game.

“Zero,” James replied when asked about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Selfless Play Delivers the Game

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to dish the ball to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, and James celebrated triumphantly.

You have to play the game correctly. You always make the smart play,” James explained. That has always been my M.O.. That is the way I was instructed to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

James is very conscious of how many points he's scored during a game,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted like he’s done countless times.”

The Streak's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the outcome and the streak both hanging in the balance. He had a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field then.

He scored at 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a shot at 1:01 left that might have taken him into double figures.

He avoided taking one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball as time wound down, but James decided to dish it off instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it correctly, they tend to bless you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Streak

James's streak began back in January 2007. It was easily the longest such streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list of 575 games.

He is such a team-oriented player,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but because of who he is on the court and his personality as an individual, he made the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits had long been a guarantee early in the final period. Throughout his run, he had achieved double figures by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

However, two of those rare single-digit games after three periods took place just days before: He had nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it was over – and he celebrated all the same.

I only ever make the best play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James declared. “You make the unselfish play, the sports deities are always giving back to me.”