One of the longest and most impressive streaks in sports history has come to an end.
LeBron James’ run of 1,297 games in a row reaching double figures, dating back to Jan. 6, 2007, in scoring was snapped on Thursday in the Lakers’ win over the Raptors. LeBron finished with just eight points, going 4-17 from the field.
Improbably, he had a chance for his 10th point, but opted instead to hit an open Rui Hachimura for a game-winner at the buzzer.
LeBron had flirted with the streak coming to an end on a number of occasions, perhaps never closer than in a loss to the Suns early in the 2023-24 season when he finished with just 11 points, needing a 3-pointer in the final two minutes to help him reach double figures.
Notably, LeBron also kept the streak alive in the game he suffered a sprained ankle against the Hawks in the 2020-21 season by hitting a 3-pointer before then missing a month due to the injury.
More recently, he nearly saw the streak end in Indiana late in the 2024-25 season when he did not have a field goal through the first three quarters before scoring 10 points in the fourth, including a game-winning tip-in at the buzzer.
Outside of a handful of moments during his Lakers tenure, the streak largely existed in the background, only coming up when it was in danger. And more often than not, he would quickly evade danger of it ending once questions of it would continue to arise.
However, it’s no surprise it came to an end. Not only has the addition of Luka Dončić to the roster taken the ball out of his hands, but Austin Reaves’ development has also led to LeBron taking even more of a backseat role. Paired with his injury to open the season, he’s flirted more and more with ending the streak this year than ever before.
Still, it brings an end to an amazing streak. Of all the incredible feats of his career, perhaps none had the longevity of his double-digit scoring streak. A vast, vast majority of NBA careers don’t even reach the length of LeBron’s streak. In fact, his streak was more games than Shaq’s whole career, for example.
Hats off to LeBron for this record, which almost certainly won’t be touched in NBA history.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
