One of the most impressive streaks in NBA history came to an end Thursday night in Toronto as Lebron James failed to score in double figures for the first time in 1,297 games. In real time, the streak lasted 18 years and 11 months as the last time James didn’t score in double figures was on Jan. 5, 2007, when he mustered only eight points against the Milwaukee Bucks.
LeBron James Chooses the Right Play Over the 18-year Record
On Monday, James needed to hit a 3-pointer with less than seven minutes left to keep the streak going in a loss to Phoenix after entering the fourth quarter with just six points. And he kept his streak running by scoring exactly 10 points.
On Thursday, however, in true James fashion, the streak ended dramatically as the future Hall of Famer passed on a chance to keep the record alive by passing up a challenging game-winning shot in favor of a wide-open three-pointer from Lakers forward Rui Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura delivered as the three-ball hit nothing but net as time expired to give the Lakers a big 123-120 road victory over the Raptors without star guard Luka Dončić.
Although Hachimura delivered the winning basket, Austin Reaves was the driving force behind the Lakers’ victory. Reaves, elevated to a primary option following the Davis-for-Dončić trade, scored 44 points with 22 coming in the third quarter. With Dončić unavailable for personal reasons, Reaves carried the offensive load. At the same time, James, despite a cold shooting night, contributed 11 assists, tying Reaves for the team high.
James has had some close calls in recent years, as the streak nearly ended on March 20, 2021, when Solomon Hill crashed into James’ leg and caused a high ankle sprain, which kept him out for several weeks. Despite being in clear pain and stuck on seven points, the legendary forward stayed in the game for one more possession to calmly sink a corner three-pointer before checking himself out of the game for good.
The closest double-digit scoring streak remotely comparable to James in NBA history is owned by none other than Michael Jordan, who reached the double-figure mark in 866 consecutive games from Mar. 25, 1986, to Dec. 26, 2001.
When asked after the game, there were no negative feelings after his double-digit scoring streak ended, and James simply replied, “None. We won.”
“Just playing the game the right way. You always make the right play,” James said. “That’s just been my M.O. That’s how I was taught the game. I’ve done that my whole career.”
“The basketball gods, if you do it the right way, they tend to reward you,” J.J. Redick, the Lakers coach, said in a post-game press conference. “It just shows the level of trust he has in his teammates.”
Whether you love him or hate him, you must respect James for his accomplishments, such as this, and for playing the game the right way. Once again, the man known as “King James” played chess, not checkers, by making the correct basketball play over personal success to add another victory to his team’s ledger.
