LeBron James's Historic Scoring Streak Comes to a Close, However Lakers Pull Off Win Over Raptors.

LeBron James was aware his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, it didn't concern him.

The right decision was to pass the ball – and he executed. Following that play, the unprecedented record was over.

James's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to a mere eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He provided the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer to win the game.

“Nothing,” James replied in response about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Decision Delivers the Game

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the game – and preserved his record – on the final possession, yet he opted to dish the ball to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron exulted immediately.

It's about playing the game the proper way. Make the right play,” James explained. “That’s just been my philosophy. That is the way I was taught to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

James is acutely aware of how many points he's scored at any point,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done so many times.”

The Run's Final Moments

He returned to the game one last time at just over five minutes left, the win and the streak up for grabs. His tally was a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to tie the game but then missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left that might have gotten him to ten points.

He passed up one more attempt – even though he had a chance. A teammate gave James the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron opted to make the extra pass instead.

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

Reflecting on a Staggering Run

James's streak started back in January 2007. It stood as the most extended such streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run with 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the sport. He could have shot but due to the player he is and his character as an individual, he executed the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and secured the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had attained double figures by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

But two such single-digit games through three quarters had happened recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, followed by six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it finished – but he still rejoiced anyway.

My focus is to make the correct play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James declared. “You make the smart play, the sports deities forever giving back to me.”