🔗 Share this article

LeBron James was aware his monumental streak of reaching double digits was threatened. When it mattered most, however, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play was to pass the rock – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record finished.

LeBron's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten concluded during a recent game, when the league's career points king had only eight points in the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple as time expired.

“None,” James replied when asked on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Decision Seals Victory

He might have sought to clinch the game – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to dish the ball to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James exulted immediately.

You have to play basketball the proper way. You always make the correct play,” James explained. “That’s just been my M.O.. It's how I learned to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored during a game,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the result and his personal record both hanging in the balance. He had a mere six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to level the contest and missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go that would have taken him to ten points.

He passed up a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron decided to make the extra pass instead.

The basketball deities, if you approach it correctly, they will bless you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on a Staggering Streak

This incredible run started back in January 2007. It stood as the longest such streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but due to who he is on the court and just who he is as an individual, he chose the team play, passed it to Rui and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had attained the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

However, two such single-digit games through three quarters had happened recently: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – but he still rejoiced regardless.

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James said. “You make the right play, the game gods forever returning the favor.”