The King's Record-Setting Scoring Streak Ends, But Los Angeles Claim Triumph Against Raptors.

The Lakers star knew his incredible run of scoring in double figures was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, it was not his focus.

The smart move involved passing the ball – so he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points concluded on Thursday night, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only a mere eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot as time expired.

“None,” James said after being questioned about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Selfless Decision Delivers the Game

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the game – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, but he chose to pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Rui connected, prompting James exulted immediately.

“Just playing basketball the proper way. Always make the correct play,” James remarked. “That’s just been how I operate. That is the way I was instructed to play. I've played that way throughout my career.”

James is very conscious exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has throughout his career.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the contest one last time at just over five minutes left, the outcome and his personal record on the line. His tally was a mere six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to level the contest and missed a shot with one minute to go that might have pushed him to ten points.

He didn’t take one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, however, James chose to make the extra pass instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the proper way, they will bless you,” Redick added.

The History of a Staggering Streak

James's streak commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the most extended double-digit streak in NBA history: MJ had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone recorded of 575 games.

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

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but due to who he is on the court and his character off the court, he chose the pass, found Rui and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually a formality well before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had reached double figures by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

However, two such single-digit games after three periods took place in the last week: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it was over – yet he was celebrating regardless.

My focus is to make the correct play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James declared. “You make the right play, the game gods are always rewarding me.”