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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 LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, failed to score 10 or more points in a regular season game since Jan. 5, 2007, during his first stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The streak is now over 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 picked up 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/Imagn Images)
The second longest streak of all time is Michael Jordan’s, at 866 games. Kevin Durant, 37, is the new active leader with 267 games.
James knew he risked ending his streak with a pass, but it was the “perfect” way to end it.
“We won,” he said after the match.
“I always make the right play. It’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James added. “You make the right play – the gambling gods always reward me.”
James was later praised for his selfless play.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts after a victory over the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. (Dan Hamilton/Imagn 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 an unselfish play, passed it on to Rui and we won the game.”
“You tip your hat to a guy who just cares about winning and making the right play,” Austin Reaves added. “That’s what he’s done his whole career.”
James was also criticized for passing the ball in important moments, but “that aspect was one of the stupidest 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 my whole life I’ve played the game that way,” James said. “I taught the game that way. I won at every level I played playing that way.”
