An unbelievable streak amongst NBA greats came to an end on Thursday evening, with LeBron James failing to score double digits in points for the first time since early 2007.
James had a disappointing shooting night, going 4-of-17 from the field, including missing all five three-point shots he attempted. There were also no trips to the free-throw line, as James ended with just eight points in 36 minutes on the court.
However, King James recorded six rebounds and a team-high 11 assists for the Lakers, including a significant pass to Rui Hachimura to hit the game-winning shot. The result was a thrilling 123-120 road win against a challenging Toronto Raptors team.
Following the game, reporters asked James about setting up his teammate for the winning shot and his epic double-digit scoring streak coming to an end. The NBA great provided short, blunt replies, indicating he’s more concerned with playing smart and winning.
On Thursday night, the NBA announced that King James scored in double digits in every game he played between Jan. 6, 2007, and Dec. 1, 2025. On Thursday, Dec. 4, it officially ended with his eight-point performance. That prompted a reporter to ask him postgame about his feelings about the streak ending.
“None. We won,” James said with a smile before moving on to the next question.
Asked about the final sequence in which James didn’t take the winning shot and instead passed it to his teammate, Hachimura, he said it was “just playing the game the right way” and that he learned to play that way.
A reporter notified him that in the last two games where he didn’t score at least 10 points in his career, the teams he played for were 2-0. That would include the Cleveland Cavaliers, with whom James began his NBA journey to greatness in 2007.
“I won’t make that a habit, though,” James said, chuckling before adding, “I always make the right play. That’s all that matters. Win, lose, or draw.”
It will be a quick turnaround for James and the Lakers, as they’ll play the 13-9 Boston Celtics at TD Garden with little rest. As of this writing, Los Angeles is 16-5 and second in the Western Conference behind the reigning champions, the Oklahoma Thunder, who have lost only one game in their first 22.
Meanwhile, James’ legacy won’t be tarnished by a misstep in scoring, as he’s still considered by many to be the greatest basketball player on the planet, and by many others, the greatest of all time.
In his 23rd season, he is averaging 14 points, 7.8 assists, and 4.3 rebounds in just six games so far. While some NBA stars might demand more shots, it appears the King has no issues taking on whatever role is necessary to ensure he and his Lakers teammates are set up for smart basketball and wins.
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