LeBron James was aware his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. When it mattered most, though, it was not his focus.
The smart move involved passing the rock – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record was over.
James's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only a mere eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer at the buzzer.
“Nothing,” James stated after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”
James could have sought to clinch the contest – and extended his record – on the final possession, yet he opted to pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Rui connected, prompting James exulted triumphantly.
It's about playing basketball the right way. You always make the right play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my M.O.. That’s how I was instructed the game. I’ve done that for two decades.”
“LeBron is very conscious of his point total he has during a game,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has so many times.”
LeBron checked back into the game one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and his personal record up for grabs. He had a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.
He scored at 1:46 left to tie the game and missed a shot at 1:01 left that would have taken him into double figures.
He passed up a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, but James decided to make the pass instead.
“The basketball gods, if you approach it correctly, they will repay you,” Redick stated.
This incredible run began over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the greatest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run with 575.
LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.
He simply plays the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but due to the player he is and just who he is as a person, he executed the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”
Scoring in double figures had typically been a formality long before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had attained double figures by the start of the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.
But two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had happened just days before: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, followed by six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.
LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – but he still rejoiced anyway.
My focus is to make the right play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James declared. If you make the smart play, the sports deities are always rewarding me.”
A seasoned software engineer with a passion for open-source projects and tech education.
