LeBron James says his assist was ‘the perfect way’ for scoring streak to end

Lead: In Toronto on Dec. 4, 2025, LeBron James ended a run of scoring at least 10 points in 1,297 consecutive NBA games by feeding Rui Hachimura for a buzzer-winning 3-pointer. With 8 points entering the final possession, James chose to make the pass rather than force a shot, securing a Lakers victory and closing a near-19-year chapter of consistent scoring. The decision capped a game in which James struggled offensively after a late start to the season and a lingering sciatic irritation. He described the assist as the “perfect ending” for a streak that began in 2007 and said winning remained his priority.

Key takeaways

• LeBron James’ double-digit scoring streak reached 1,297 consecutive games before ending on Dec. 4, 2025, in Toronto when he finished with 8 points.
• The game-winning play came as a final-second assist to Rui Hachimura, who hit a corner 3 at the buzzer to win the game for the Lakers.
• James is in his 23rd NBA season and had missed the first 14 games this season because of a sciatic nerve irritation; this late start affected his game rhythm.
• He made just 4 of 15 field-goal attempts and went 0-for-6 in the fourth quarter, including several near-miss opportunities that could have pushed him to 10 points.
• Coach JJ Redick and teammates reacted with visible joy at the buzzer-beater; James framed the decision as choosing the winning play over personal milestones.
• James has historically played through injuries—examples include a high ankle sprain in 2021—but said the streak was never an explicit goal, rather a byproduct of his play.

Background

LeBron James’ streak of scoring at least 10 points in every game began in 2007 and stretched across 1,297 regular-season contests, enduring surgeries, sprains and changing teams. Over nearly two decades it became an unusual durability metric in an era of load management and careful injury preservation. The streak survived seasons with heavy workloads and episodes where James visibly labored to reach double figures, including games where he visibly altered his style to secure points.

This season marked a different start: James missed training camp, preseason and the first 14 regular-season games because of a sciatic nerve irritation. The Lakers opened the season without him and registered wins while he recovered, which shifted expectations about how quickly he would regain peak conditioning. At 23 seasons in, James remains one of the league’s most scrutinized veterans; every uncharacteristic miss or lackluster performance draws attention to his longevity and day-to-day health.

Main event

In Toronto, James began cold, air-balling his first jump shot and missing multiple close attempts that clanged off the rim or backboard. By halftime he had made only 2 of 9 shots and had not reached the free-throw line. He visibly labored on offense, at times pressing and at others conserving energy, with gestures like hands on hips and pulling his collar that suggested fatigue.

The third quarter brought slightly more activity but few scoring results; James attempted only two shots in that period. In the fourth he pushed harder, including a fast-break layup that became his eighth point, and a 3 that rattled out. A turnaround jumper that might have put him into double figures was emphatically blocked by Scottie Barnes.

With the clock winding down and Austin Reaves double-teamed, the Lakers created a final look. Rather than try to muscle past a smaller defender or launch a contested shot, James delivered a sharp pass to Rui Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura’s buzzer-beating three fell, giving the Lakers the win and ending James’ streak at 1,297 games. James celebrated the play’s result and later described the assist as the right basketball decision.

Analysis & implications

The end of the streak is more symbolic than substantive for the Lakers’ season outlook: James prioritized team victory over an individual milestone, a choice consistent with his long-stated emphasis on winning. In practical terms, the play underscores his continued court vision and decision-making even when scoring output is reduced. For a player in his 23rd year, producing a game-winning assist demonstrates value that extends beyond points per game.

From a durability and legacy perspective, the streak’s end closes a statistical thread that amplified James’ consistency but did not define his career. Teams, front offices and analysts who track longevity will note the streak as evidence of sustained availability; its end will not erase the accomplishment of 1,297 consecutive double-digit games. However, it does highlight how aging, recovery from injuries and minutes management change the contours of a veteran superstar’s contributions.

For the Lakers specifically, the win masks questions about James’ current scoring efficiency and whether his late start and lingering nerve irritation will require ongoing management. Opponents can exploit reduced aggressiveness as teams scout for lineups that invite James into playmaking rather than scoring. Conversely, the ability to close a game with a decisive pass indicates the Lakers can still rely on his leadership and clutch decision-making.

Comparison & data

The table places the streak in career context and highlights game-level particulars from Dec. 4, 2025. While the raw number—1,297 games—stands out, situational data (missed preseason, late season start, in-game shot attempts) helps explain why the streak ended. That context also frames discussions about load management and veteran minutes planning leaguewide.

Reactions & quotes

Coach JJ Redick greeted James at midcourt and described the moment as pure joy, noting that the look on James’ face was authentic relief and celebration after a tense finish. Redick’s immediate reaction emphasized team triumph over individual statistics.

“The look on his face was pure joy — that’s what it was about tonight.”

JJ Redick, Lakers coach

James spoke afterward about identity and priorities, telling reporters the assist was “the perfect ending” and reiterating that being the all-time leading scorer was never his primary career goal. He framed the streak as an accidental byproduct rather than a pursued objective.

“If it had to end, the perfect ending for the streak is tonight…It’s always been about: ‘How can I win the game? How can I make the right play and win the game?'”

LeBron James, player (as told to The Athletic)

Observers and scouts noted the game as a reminder of the physical toll of long careers. One NBA scout texted that James was finally “looking his age,” a comment that captured how the optics of performance—missed shots, labored movement—can shape perceptions even for all-time greats.

Unconfirmed

• Any long-term prognosis connecting the streak’s end to a lasting decline in LeBron’s scoring output is not confirmed and would require more games to assess.
• Reports that the sciatic irritation will force a defined minutes cap in upcoming games have not been officially announced by the Lakers.

Bottom line

The streak’s conclusion at 1,297 games is a notable milestone and a reminder of LeBron James’ exceptional longevity, but its ending by way of an assist reinforces his shift toward team-first playmaking when scoring is limited. The final-second decision and the resulting victory illustrate that winning remains James’ operative priority, even as personal statistical runs come to a close.

For the Lakers and the league, the moment prompts recalibration: teams will continue to value James for his decision-making and leadership while monitoring workload and recovery. Over the remainder of the season, his role may be characterized less by automatic double-digit scoring and more by pivotal plays—assists, late-game reads and mentorship—that extend his impact beyond the box score.

Sources

• The New York Times — news reporting and game coverage
• The Athletic — sports interview quoted by the player