In a stunning act of selflessness, LeBron James chose victory over personal glory, ending his historic NBA scoring streak to secure a win for the Los Angeles Lakers in Toronto. The Lakers defeated the Raptors 123-120 at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday, December 4, 2025, after James passed up a final shot to set up teammate Rui Hachimura for a game-winning three-pointer.
A Record Run Comes to a Deliberate End
LeBron James' monumental streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with at least 10 points officially ended against the Toronto Raptors. The decision, however, was entirely his own. With seconds remaining and the game tied, James received the ball but opted to pass to a wide-open Hachimura rather than force a shot to reach double figures. Hachimura's successful buzzer-beater gave James the game-winning assist and the Lakers a crucial road victory.
James finished the night with eight points, snapping a run that began on January 6, 2007—nearly two decades ago. When asked if he had any regrets about ending the streak, his response was succinct: "None. We won."
The Legacy of the Streak and the Philosophy of a Champion
The longevity of James' record is staggering, far surpassing the previous marks held by basketball legends. For context:
- Michael Jordan: 866 games
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 787 games
- Karl Malone: 575 games
James was acutely aware his streak would end if Hachimura scored. "Just playing the game the right way. You always make the right play," James explained post-game. "That's just been my M.O. That's how I was taught the game. I've done that my whole career."
Lakers coach JJ Redick praised James's decision, noting, "LeBron is acutely aware of how many points he has at that point. He did it like he's done so many times... The basketball gods, if you do it the right way, they tend to reward you."
The Final Moments and an Unbreakable Record?
The game's final minutes were tense. James re-entered with 5:23 remaining, having scored only six points on 3-of-15 shooting. He managed a basket with 1:46 left to tie the game but missed a potential go-ahead shot with just over a minute remaining. When guard Austin Reaves gave him the ball for the final possession, James's instinct to pass prevailed.
The last time James was held under 10 points in a regular-season game was January 5, 2007, when he scored eight for the Cleveland Cavaliers. His streak included 1,266 games where he had reached 10 points by the end of the third quarter. The record now stands as a potential untouchable benchmark. Houston's Kevin Durant currently holds the next-longest active streak at 267 games, meaning he would need to maintain it for over 14 more years to challenge James's mark.
Teammates and opponents alike tipped their hats to James's team-first mentality. "He's such an unselfish player," said Lakers center Jake LaRavia. "He made the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and we won the game."
James also addressed past criticism for passing in clutch moments, a narrative he firmly rejected. "I remember everything that's been negatively said about me and my game throughout my career," James stated. "And that aspect has been one of the most foolish things I've ever heard... We are in the business of winning basketball games."
With this decisive play in Toronto, LeBron James reaffirmed that his ultimate legacy is built on winning, not just record-keeping.
