LBJ's Record-Setting Scoring Streak Ends, Yet Lakers Secure Win Against Toronto.

The Lakers star knew his incredible streak of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, it was not his focus.

The right decision involved passing the rock – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the legendary streak was over.

James's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points concluded during a recent game, when the league's career points king finished with a mere eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura for a triple to win the game.

“Zero,” James replied after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Choice Seals the Win

James could have tried to secure the game – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, and James celebrated immediately.

“Just playing basketball the right way. You always make the smart play,” James noted. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I was instructed to play. That's what I've done for two decades.”

He is very conscious of how many points he's scored during a game,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted as he has done so many times.”

The Record's Final Moments

He returned to the floor for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. He had six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to knot the score then missed a shot at 1:01 left that might have pushed him into double figures.

He passed up another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, yet LeBron decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, when you play it the proper way, they tend to repay you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Streak

The record began back in January 2007. It was, by far the greatest streak of its kind in professional basketball: MJ had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

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

He simply plays hoops. The chance was there but due to the player he is and his personality off the court, he executed the team play, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually an afterthought long before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had attained ten points entering the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters took place recently: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it concluded – and he celebrated regardless.

My focus is to make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. “You make the smart play, the basketball gods forever rewarding me.”