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One of the most impressive streaks in sports history, let alone the NBA, came to an end Thursday night.
It was the first time that LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, failed to score 10 or more points in a regular-season game since January 5, 2007, during his first stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The streak has ended at 1,297 games, by far the longest of all time.
James had a chance to keep the streak alive with a game-winning basket, but instead scored an assist on Rui Hachimura’s 3-pointer as time expired to give the Los Angeles Lakers a 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James shoots the ball over Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes in the first half at Scotiabank Arena. (Dan Hamilton/Image Images)
The second longest streak in history is that of Michael Jordan, 866. Kevin Durant, 37, is the new active leader with 267 games.
James knew he was risking his streak ending with the pass, but this was the “perfect” way to end it.
“We won,” he said after the game.
“I always make the right play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James added. “You make the right play – the gods of the game are always giving me something back.”
James was praised afterward for his selfless play.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts after a win over the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. (Dan Hamilton/Image Images)
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“He’s such a selfless player,” Lakers center Jake LaRavia said, via ESPN. “He’s just playing basketball. He had the opportunity, but because of the player he is and who he is as a person, he made a selfless play, passed it to Rui and we won the game.”
“You take your hat off to a guy who only cares about winning and making the right play,” Austin Reaves added. “That’s what he’s done his entire career.”
James has also been criticized for passing the ball in big moments, but “that aspect was one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard,” he said.
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after defeating the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on December 4, 2025, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Andrew Lahodynskyj/Getty Images)
“We’re in the business of winning basketball games and I’ve played that way my entire life,” James said. “I’ve taught the game that way. I’ve won at every level I’ve played at playing that way.”
