LeBron James's Record-Setting Point-Scoring Run Ends, However Los Angeles Secure Triumph Over Toronto.
The Lakers star knew his incredible run of scoring in double figures was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.
The smart move involved passing the ball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record came to an end.
LeBron's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points concluded this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a triple as time expired.
“Zero,” James replied when asked about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”
A Selfless Play Delivers the Win
LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – and preserved the streak – with the last shot, yet he opted to dish the ball to Hachimura in the left corner. Rui connected, and James raised his arms triumphantly.
You have to play the game the proper way. You always make the smart play,” James explained. That has always been my M.O.. It's how I learned to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”
James is very conscious of how many points he's scored during a game,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has throughout his career.”
The Streak's Final Moments
He returned to the game one last time at 5:23 remaining, the win and the streak both hanging in the balance. His tally was only six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.
He scored with under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a shot with 1:01 left that might have taken him into double figures.
He passed up a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him with a few seconds left, however, James chose to make the pass instead of shooting.
The basketball deities, if you do it the proper way, they tend to repay you,” the coach concluded.
The History of a Staggering Record
The record started back in January 2007. It stood as the greatest streak of its kind in professional basketball: MJ previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.
He is such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.
“He’s just playing hoops. The chance was there but given his nature as a player and his character as an individual, he made the unselfish play, found Rui and claimed the victory.”
Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought long before the final period. During James’s streak, he had achieved ten points by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.
Yet two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had happened recently: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.
He succeeded in preserve the record against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.
“I always just make the correct play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James declared. If you make the smart play, the basketball gods forever returning the favor.”