Rui Hachimura’s first career buzzer-beater secured a thrilling 123-120 victory for the Los Angeles Lakers over the Raptors in Canada. While the shot was a huge moment for Hachimura, the spotlight immediately swung to LeBron James, who had the opportunity to take the game-winner but instead chose to pass to his teammate. “Bron told me right before… it’s gonna come to you,” Hachimura revealed. That assist, LeBron’s 11th of the night, was his final meaningful action, as he finished the game with just eight points.
With that, his mind-boggling streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season scoring games in double digits came to an end. The streak began on January 7, 2007. To grasp the impossibility of ever surpassing this mark, consider this, only 24 players in the entire history of the NBA have even played 1,297 career games. Furthermore, among active players, you would have to combine the streaks of the next 11 longest-running players to surpass LeBron’s total of 1,297 consecutive games. Kevin Durant, the new active leader at 267 games, would need to play 82 games for nearly 12 more seasons to match LeBron’s record, an achievement that is clearly out of reach for the 37-year-old.
LeBron Keeps His Legacy Alive
To make the streak look even more impressive, in LeBron James’ 23 seasons in the NBA, he has more Finals appearances (10) than games with single-digit points (9). These are unreal, impossible numbers for anyone to chase.
The way he has been playing this season, he might have another single-digit scoring game, but this year, he seems intent on taking a step back in scoring and becoming a primary facilitator for his team, which is now led by Luka Doncic (who leads the NBA in points per game) and Austin Reaves (who ended with a game-high 44 points in the win against Toronto).
James could accurately be considered the best third option in NBA history this year, a dignified new role for the future Hall of Famer at nearly 41 years old. When asked if he had any reaction to the end of the streak, James said simply, “none, We won.” Deep down, he may be reflective that he missed the chance to end his career with the active streak, but this year, LeBron’s sole goal is securing his fifth ring and reaching his 11th NBA Finals, a number surpassed only by Bill Russell (12).
The World When LeBron’s Streak Began
Looking back at the James streak that started in 2007 is like looking into a different era. Only two current players, Chris Paul and Kyle Lowry, were even in the league when the streak began. Lakers coach JJ Redick was a rookie, and Cooper Flagg, the NBA’s youngest player this season, was still under a month old. The iPhone did not exist yet, and Kobe Bryant was about to win his only MVP award.
This record seems truly impossible to break because he started it at age 22. Only Cooper Flagg comes to mind as a player who might conceivably equal that mark, but he would need to play at least 60 games for 20 consecutive seasons without suffering a major injury along the way.
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