LeBron James's Record-Setting Scoring Run Ends, However Los Angeles Claim Victory Against Raptors.

The Lakers star knew his historic streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. At the decisive instant, however, he wasn't bothered.

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

James's staggering run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances was snapped this past Thursday, when the league's career points king was limited to a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura for a triple at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James stated in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Choice Secures the Win

He might have sought to clinch the contest – and preserved the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to dish the ball to Rui in the left corner. Rui connected, and James exulted triumphantly.

“Just playing basketball the right way. You always make the right play,” James explained. That has always been how I operate. That is the way I was instructed the game. I've played that way for two decades.”

He is fully cognizant of his point total he has during a game,” said Lakers coach the coach. He acted just as he has countless times.”

The Streak's End Game

LeBron checked back into the floor one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result and his personal record on the line. He had only six points from a 3-for-15 performance then.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a shot at 1:01 left that would have pushed him to double digits.

He passed up a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, but James chose to make the extra pass instead.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the proper way, they often repay you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at a Staggering Streak

The record commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the longest streak of its kind in NBA history: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the sport. The chance was there but because of who he is on the court and just who he is as an individual, he executed the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and claimed the victory.”

Getting to ten points had long been an afterthought long before the final period. Throughout his run, he had reached ten points by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

But two such single-digit games after three periods took place recently: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it was over – and he celebrated regardless.

My focus is to make the right play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James said. “You make the smart play, the sports deities consistently returning the favor.”