LeBron James passed up a shot that could have extended his remarkable 18-year streak of scoring at least 10 points in every regular-season game — and instead set up a teammate to win the game for his team. The decision ended one of the most impressive consistency records in NBA history, while showing James continues to prioritize winning over personal milestones.
The streak dated back to January 2007, when he was in his fourth NBA season. For 1,297 consecutive regular-season games spanning 6,907 days — across two decades and into his 23rd season — James had reached double figures in scoring. Game after game, he delivered. That consistency survived injuries, rough nights, blowout losses — virtually everything a long career could throw at a player.
On Thursday night in Toronto, the streak came to an end. James had struggled offensively: just four of 17 field goals made, and none of his five three-point attempts connected. He sat at eight points late in regulation with the Lakers tied 120–120 with the Raptors. With three seconds left on the clock and the ball in his hands, many expected him to fire up a jumper to salvage the record. Instead, he dribbled to the free-throw line, saw the defense shift, and passed to Rui Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura nailed the game-winning three, delivering the victory for Los Angeles.
James finished the game with 11 assists instead. The decision, though it ended his scoring streak, earned praise from his coach. The Lakers’ head coach called it “the right play,” arguing that basketball — above all — should be about making winning decisions over chasing stats. For James, whose career has been defined equally by championships and personal records, the move reinforced his commitment to winning and team success.
The end of the streak is significant not only for its longevity but also for how dominant it was. The second-longest such run belonged to another all-time great — Michael Jordan — but he fell far short, with 866 consecutive games of double-digit scoring. In an era marked by fewer games per season, more load management and greater risk of injury, James’ streak was all but impossible to replicate.
Yet for all its statistical grandeur, Thursday’s decision underscored that basketball, for James, remains a team sport. The Lakers were short-handed, a string of poor shots had marked the night, and winning was on the line. By setting up a teammate instead of taking the final shot himself, James showed that he values team success over personal consistency.
For long-time fans and record-keepers, the streak will stand as a monument to durability, excellence, and reliability. For teammates and opponents, Thursday may serve as a reminder that records matter — but only when they don’t get in the way of a win.
