One of the most enduring feats in NBA history is finally over.
LeBron James failed to reach double figures in Thursday’s 123-120 win over the Toronto Raptors, ending a streak that lasted nearly 19 years and stretched across 1,297 consecutive regular-season games. It remains the longest such streak the league has ever seen and it ended on a night when James chose to make the right play instead of chasing the record.
James finished with 8 points on 4 of 17 shooting, including 0 of 5 from 3. Yet with the game tied at 120 and the streak hanging in the balance, he didn’t force his way into the scorebook. He drove into the paint, drew the defense, and kicked out to a wide-open Rui Hachimura for the game-winning corner 3.
Despite some of the social media backlash about James’ passing up the game-winning shot, it was a play that perfectly captured James’ philosophy throughout his career: trust the right read, not the narrative.
When asked how he felt about the streak ending, James offered the type of answer only he could deliver after rewriting the record book for two decades: “Nothing… we won.”
A Streak Defined by Longevity
The last time James scored fewer than 10 points was Jan. 5, 2007. The next night, he posted 19 against the New Jersey Nets, beginning a streak that spanned five presidencies, multiple eras of the league, and three franchises. The next-closest player to his mark is Michael Jordan at 866 games, over 400 games short.
The streak didn’t survive without close calls. James once needed a late-game three against Phoenix early in the 2023–24 season to reach 11 points.
He kept it alive in 2020-21 by hitting a three moments before spraining his ankle against Atlanta. And he saved it again late last season in Indiana by scoring 10 points in the fourth quarter, punctuated by a game-winning tip-in.
But this season presented new variables. Luka Dončić’s arrival shifted more offensive responsibility away from James. Austin Reaves’ development added another high-usage creator to the mix. Combine that with James’ early-season injury, and the streak was in more danger than ever.
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A Night That Showed Who LeBron Really Is
Even in a game where the scoring wasn’t there, James still controlled the action. His 11 assists , the most in a game without a turnover by any player this season, underscored his ability to dominate without leaning on scoring. More importantly, they reinforced the idea that the streak was never the point.
For critics who believed James would force shots to preserve it, Thursday was the loudest rebuttal yet. He made the pass that won the Lakers the game. The streak ended, but the standard he’s set for two decades remained.
And in typical LeBron fashion, the moment didn’t need theatrics. The streak may be over, but the Lakers are 16-5 and firmly in the West’s top tier. For him, that was the only number that mattered.
