LBJ's Historic Scoring Streak Ends, However Los Angeles Claim Victory Over Raptors.

LeBron James was aware his monumental run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, it was not his focus.

The smart move was to pass the rock – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record finished.

LeBron's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended during a recent game, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He made the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“None,” James stated after being questioned about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Decision Seals the Game

He might have sought to clinch the contest – and extended the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to pass to Rui on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron raised his arms immediately.

“Just playing basketball correctly. Make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been my philosophy. It's how I learned the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

He is very conscious of his point total he's scored at all times,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted as he has done countless times.”

The Run's End Game

He returned to the game for the final time with just over five minutes left, the result along with the historic run up for grabs. He had only six points from 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to level the contest and missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that might have gotten him into double figures.

He passed up one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves passed him the ball as time wound down, however, James opted to make the pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, when you play it correctly, they often repay you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Staggering Record

James's streak began over eighteen years ago. It stood as the greatest such streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run with 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the sport. He had the opportunity but because of his nature as a player and just who he is off the court, he chose the pass, dished to Hachimura and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been a guarantee well before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

But two such single-digit games through three quarters had occurred just days before: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

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

My focus is to make the best play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the game gods consistently giving back to me.”