Sipu Jha
LeBron James’ legendary streak of scoring at least 10 points in consecutive games came to an end Thursday night, but the Los Angeles Lakers still walked away with a thrilling 123-120 win over the Toronto Raptors. James opted to make the winning play rather than chase individual glory. His pass to Rui Hachimura, who hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, not only sealed the victory but also showcased James’ commitment to team success above personal milestones.The Lakers’ road to victory was hard-fought. With key players absent, including Luka Doncic and Marcus Smart, and the Raptors challenging at every turn, the game tested James and his teammates. Despite a slow start offensively, Los Angeles maintained composure, relying on Austin Reaves’ scoring and contributions from Brandon Ingram and Jake LaRavia to stay competitive throughout the contest.
LeBron James sacrifices streak with a game-winning assist
James finished the night with eight points, ending his staggering 1,297-game streak of double-digit scoring, the longest in NBA history. The streak, which began on Jan. 6, 2001, surpasses Michael Jordan’s 866-game record by more than 400 games. When asked about the streak ending, James said simply, “None. We won.” His focus remained on winning rather than statistics. “Just playing the game the right way. You always make the right play,” James explained. Lakers coach JJ Redick praised his veteran star, noting, “LeBron is acutely aware of how many points he has at that point. He did it like he’s done so many times.”With the score tied at 120, James could have attempted to extend the streak on the final possession. Instead, he passed to Hachimura, who drained the corner 3-pointer as time expired.
Jake LaRavia showers praise on LeBron James
Jake LaRavia acknowledged James’ unselfish approach. “He’s such an unselfish player,” Lakers center LaRavia said. “He’s just playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but because of the player he is and just who he is as a person, he made the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and we won the game.”James’ ability to consistently perform under pressure, adapt to circumstances, and elevate those around him has left a lasting impact on teammates and the sport.Despite ending the streak, James’ focus on team victories over personal records reinforces why he is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. The Lakers now turn their attention to a challenging road trip, with Friday’s matchup against the Boston Celtics and Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers on the horizon.Also Read: Carmelo Anthony sends worrying message for Anthony Davis following Chris Paul’s departure from Clippers
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