LeBron’s Historic 1,297-Game Scoring Streak Ends—But He Delivers the Play That Matters Most

On a night when history quietly slipped into the background, LeBron James proved once again that his legacy has never been built on personal accolades, but on making the right basketball play. His streak of 1,297 straight games scoring at least 10 points—a record that has stood as one of the league’s most astonishing displays of longevity—came to an end against the Toronto Raptors.

Yet LeBron didn’t seem bothered. At all.

Because the streak didn’t end in a loss, or in frustration, or in a moment of hesitation. It ended with a perfectly placed pass to Rui Hachimura in the corner, who drilled a game-winning shot to seal the Lakers’ victory.

A streak died.
But a win was born.
And for LeBron James, the latter has always mattered more.

The Play That Ended the Streak—and Won the Game

After the game, LeBron broke down the final sequence with clinical clarity, as if describing a math equation rather than one of the biggest moments of the night.

Once the Raptors doubled Austin Reaves, the ball swung to LeBron. He instantly recognized that the floor had tilted in his favor.

“I know it’s a numbers game,” he explained. “We had a four-on-three advantage, and I just tried to put the ball on time, on target, right in Rui’s shot pocket.”

No hesitation.
No panic.
No thought of the streak.

Just a read, a pass, and a perfect shot.

Hachimura later said that LeBron had communicated something to him on the fly, even without a timeout. LeBron confirmed it: he simply placed Rui in what he calls a “payoff spot,” positioning him exactly where the pressure would break and the advantage would open.

It worked. The ball found its way to Hachimura, and the Lakers found the win.

“None. We won.” — LeBron on His Streak Ending

When reporters asked LeBron how he felt about the streak ending, the answer came instantly.

“None. We won.”

No reflection.
No emotional pause.
No poetic monologue.

Just the simplest and purest basketball truth.

It is perhaps the most LeBron response possible: uninterested in a statistical streak, deeply invested in the outcome of the game. Throughout his career, he has been criticized by some for passing in crucial moments instead of forcing shots. But he has always believed in the same philosophy:

Make the right play. Always.

Still Finding His Rhythm After a Delayed Start

While the streak ended, LeBron acknowledged that he is still working his way back into rhythm after missing the entire training camp, preseason, and the first 14 games of the season.

“This is only my sixth game,” he said. “I’m still figuring out my rhythm. I know I can still make an impact, but offensively I’m still feeling it out.”

Early in the game, he missed shots he typically makes with ease. But instead of forcing himself into rhythm, he continued orchestrating the offense with patience and trust.

A reporter mentioned that the Lakers are 2–0 in games where LeBron scores fewer than 10 points. LeBron laughed.

“I won’t make that a habit though.”

Even as he shrugged off the streak, he hasn’t abandoned his scoring instincts—he’s simply prioritizing winning over padding numbers.

LeBron Remembers Every Critique—But Never Let Them Change Him

When JJ Redick brought up how LeBron was criticized early in his career for passing in the clutch, LeBron paused, then delivered an honest reflection:

“I remember everything that’s been negatively said about me and my game. And the idea that making the right pass was wrong? That was one of the most foolish things I’ve ever heard.”

He reiterated that he has won at every level—youth basketball, high school, the NBA—by trusting the pass and trusting his reads. Critics never changed the way he played the game.

“There was no reason for me to ever change once I got to this level,” he said. “Basketball is basketball.”

A Veteran’s Pride in His Former Young Teammates

Before the game, LeBron embraced Brandon Ingram, now thriving in his own role. When asked about BI’s evolution, LeBron beamed like a proud mentor.

“Unbelievable talent,” he said. “He was a young stud when I had him, and now he’s seasoned, mature, better and better.”

He went on to name several players from his first Lakers season—Alex Caruso, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Ivica Zubac—and expressed joy seeing them succeed.

LeBron’s love for players who “do it the right way” has always been one of his defining characteristics as a leader. He sees the same growth path in Austin Reaves.

“It doesn’t surprise me,” he said. “Talent meets hard work and preparation—there’s no stopping someone who puts the work in.”

A King in Toronto: Love From the North

One of the more emotional moments came when LeBron spoke about the Toronto fans, who gave him a roaring ovation throughout the night.

“They’re amazing. I love it,” he said. “I don’t know how many games I have left in this building, but this city always welcomes me with open arms.”

It was a subtle reminder of time passing. LeBron knows his career is entering its later chapters. Fans know it too. And cities like Toronto want to savor every moment left.

A Night That Revealed LeBron’s Essence

The night could have been remembered for the ending of one of the longest streaks in league history. It could have been about the shots LeBron missed or the rust he still feels.

But when the clock ticked down and the Lakers needed a play, he delivered the thing that has defined him more than scoring ever has:

a perfectly calculated, perfectly unselfish decision.

His streak ended.

His identity did not.

Because LeBron James has always been more than a scorer.
More than a stat-sheet monster.
More than the expectations built around him.

He is a decision-maker. A force-multiplier. A player who bends the game toward winning.

And on this night, in the loudest arena in Canada, he reminded everyone of that truth.

The streak may be over.
But the standard?
Still unmatched.