LeBron's Unbelievable 1,297-Game Streak SHATTERED! What Happened in the Final Moments?

TORONTO — In a moment that will be etched in the annals of NBA history, LeBron James' remarkable streak of scoring at least 10 points in 1,297 consecutive regular-season games came to an unexpected end on Thursday night. As the clock wound down in a tightly contested matchup against the Toronto Raptors, James opted to pass the ball to teammate Rui Hachimura rather than take a shot to keep the streak alive. Hachimura's successful buzzer-beating three-pointer contributed to the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory, but it was James' decision that captivated fans and analysts alike.

“Just playing the game the right way. You always make the right play,” James said after the game, reflecting on his approach throughout his storied career. “That’s just been my M.O. That’s how I was taught the game.” With eight points and 11 assists on the night, James concluded the game without reaching double digits for the first time since January 5, 2007—a span that predates the first iPhone launch.

Lakers coach JJ Redick noted the significance of James’ selfless play. “I remember him getting ridiculed for it early on, when he would make the right play and his teammate would shoot the game-winner,” Redick said. “He did it like he’s done so many times.” When asked about his thoughts on ending the streak, James remained unfazed, stating simply, “We won.”

The streak, which consisted of 1,297 games, far surpassed the next longest streak held by Michael Jordan at 866 games, a mark set between March 25, 1986, and December 26, 2001. It is worth noting that since the beginning of James’ streak, he had only two playoff games where he failed to score 10 points. The current longest active double-digit scoring streak now belongs to Kevin Durant, who has achieved 267 consecutive games—a feat that would require him to play until nearly 50 years old to match James' record.

Statistics surrounding James’ streak paint a vivid picture of his dominance. Last time he scored under 10 points was back when Twitter was less than a year old, his son Bronny was just two years old, and George W. Bush was president. Such context underscores the monumental nature of this achievement, illustrating how rare it is for a player of James' caliber to go silent in scoring.

The end of the streak occurred on a night when James struggled to find his rhythm; a pivotal moment came when Raptors forward Scottie Barnes blocked a jumper, effectively sealing James’ fate. “He’s always making the right play,” Barnes remarked, reflecting on James' career-long tendency to prioritize team success over personal accolades. “People want him to be different in that aspect. But he’s always going to make the right play.”

Interestingly, just days before, James had faced scrutiny for seemingly stat-padding to maintain his double-digit scoring streak. Former NBA player Chandler Parsons weighed in, stating, “For me, that’s the first time I’ve ever seen him like that,” referring to James’ apparent decline in performance. Parsons expressed concern that the Lakers were prioritizing James’ legacy over their current season objectives, suggesting this might be the first step towards the end of an era.

Playing in his record 23rd season, James’ transition to this new phase comes after missing all of training camp and the first 14 Lakers games due to sciatic nerve irritation. Despite the challenges, he remains the NBA's all-time leading scorer. “He’s been so dominant in the game for so long, you wouldn’t even be surprised,” Barnes said of the scoring streak. “It’s LeBron.”

As the Lakers continue their season, the end of James’ double-digit scoring streak marks a significant moment not only for the player but for the league itself. The focus now shifts to how James and the Lakers will navigate these changes moving forward, as fans and analysts alike speculate on what this means for James' legacy and the future of the NBA.