The King's Record-Setting Point-Scoring Streak Ends, But Lakers Claim Triumph Against Toronto.

The Lakers star knew his monumental run of reaching double digits was at risk. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The right decision meant distributing the basketball – so he did. Following that play, his remarkable run finished.

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended on Thursday night, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, feeding Rui Hachimura for a triple at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James said when asked about the streak ending. “We won.”

An Unselfish Choice Seals Victory

James could have sought to clinch the game – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to pass to Rui in the left corner. Rui connected, prompting James celebrated triumphantly.

“Just playing the game correctly. You always make the smart play,” James explained. That is my philosophy. It's how I was taught the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

James is acutely aware of how many points he's scored during a game,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done throughout his career.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the floor for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win and the streak up for grabs. At that stage, he had a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to level the contest and missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that might have pushed him into double figures.

He avoided taking another shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, but James chose to make the extra pass instead.

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

A Look Back at a Monumental Run

This incredible run started back in January 2007. It was, by far the longest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays hoops. He could have shot but given who he is on the court and just who he is as an individual, he chose the team play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits had long been a guarantee long before the final period. Throughout his run, he had attained double figures by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

But two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had occurred in the last week: He recorded nine going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – yet he was celebrating regardless.

I only ever make the correct play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the game gods forever returning the favor.”