The King's Historic Point-Scoring Streak Comes to a Close, Yet Los Angeles Pull Off Win Against Raptors.

LeBron James was aware his monumental run of reaching double digits was at risk. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move meant distributing the basketball – so he did. Consequently, his remarkable run was over.

James's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points ended during a recent game, as the league's career points king finished with a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer as time expired.

“None,” James replied when asked about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Decision Secures the Game

James could have tried to secure the game – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to dish the ball to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James exulted with his hands in the air.

You have to play basketball the right way. Make the correct play,” James remarked. That has always been my philosophy. That’s how I learned to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

James is very conscious of his point total he has at all times,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done throughout his career.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the win and the streak up for grabs. He had six points on a 3-for-15 performance then.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a 14-footer with one minute to go which could have gotten him to double digits.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron chose to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it correctly, they often repay you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Monumental Streak

This incredible run commenced over eighteen years ago. It stood as the most extended double-digit streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded at 575.

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

He focuses on playing hoops. The chance was there but due to his nature as a player and just who he is off the court, he executed the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the game.”

Getting to ten points was usually a formality well before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had reached the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times before this game.

Yet two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters had happened recently: He recorded nine points going into the fourth against Dallas last week, and then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. The very next outing, it was over – yet he was celebrating anyway.

My focus is to make the correct play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James said. If you make the smart play, the game gods consistently returning the favor.”