LeBron James' record scoring streak ends, but Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura deliver in victory vs. Raptors

Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times on Dec 4, 2025

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TORONTO — Of course.

Stuck between trying to extend his record streak of 1,297 consecutive games with 10 or more points or passing to an open Rui Hachimura to take the potential winning shot, LeBron James made the right play.

Because that’s what he’s done for 23 years in the NBA.

James’ assist on Hachimura’s buzzer-beating three-pointer punctuated the Los Angeles Lakers’ dramatic 123-120 win over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday at Scotiabank Arena.

After the Lakers (16-5) forced a missed shot from Brandon Ingram with 22.9 seconds left, Austin Reaves heard Raptors coach Darko Rajaković calling for a double team. Scottie Barnes rushed to guard Reaves near the sideline and the Lakers guard sent a left-handed bounce pass to James near the top of the arc. James, with eight points on labored four-for-17 shooting and no free-throw attempts, took one dribble and fired it to Hachimura in the corner.

“I just make the right play,” James said. “That’s all that matters. Win, lose or draw, make the right play.”

James’ 11 assists and Austin Reaves’ 44 points and 10 assists helped the Lakers overcome the absence of Luka Doncic, who missed the game because of personal reasons. The NBA’s leading scorer and his fiancee are expecting their second child. Coach JJ Redick said the team hopes to get Doncic “back soon, but don’t have a pin-pointed day yet.”

Without the team’s primary offensive engine, center Deandre Ayton chipped in 17 points and Jake LaRavia scored 14 off the bench. Two-way guard Nick Smith Jr. delivered 12 points in 14 minutes and 17 seconds off the bench as the Lakers dug deep into their roster ahead of another game in Boston on Friday.

James last scored in the single digits on Jan. 5, 2007 when Milwaukee held him to eight points on three-for-13 shooting in 43 minutes. But Cleveland still won that game 95-86 as James dished nine assists.

James continued to rely on his playmaking, averaging 7.8 assists in his six games. Since missing 14 games because of sciatica and one game while managing a left foot injury, James admitted he is still finding his rhythm offensively.

He faded into the background of the Lakers’ blowout loss to the Phoenix Suns on Monday, when he barely extended the streak by scoring four of his 10 points in the fourth quarter. He came out aggressively against the Raptors with nine shot attempts by halftime.

But he scored only four points. He missed his first six shots, some even missing the rim.

Behind 22 third-quarter points from Reaves, the Lakers were clinging to a two-point lead entering the fourth. James was “acutely aware” of how many points he had as the game progressed, Redick said. With only six points in the first three quarters, James opened the fourth with two quick three-point attempts. Neither was close to going in.

The first Lakers points in the fourth quarter came from Smith. Of course, he was assisted by James.

Throughout his celebrated career, James has often been criticized for his passing. In big moments, critics questioned whether he could be the true face of the NBA if he was passing on winning opportunities to create open looks for his teammates. If he passed, he was ridiculed for not stepping up. If he shot, he was torn down for forcing a bad attempt.

Playing in his NBA-record 23rd season, James, who ranks fourth in NBA career assists, still remembers “everything (that) has been negatively said” about his game. Any insinuation that he wouldn’t always choose the right play sticks with him the most.

“That aspect was always like the most, one of the most foolish things I’ve ever heard as far as making the right pass, making the right play,” James said. “We are in the business of winning basketball games. My whole life I’ve just played the game that way. I was taught the game that way and I’ve won at every single level I’ve played at by playing the game that way. So there was no reason for me to ever change once I got to this level.”

James’ unselfish play has rubbed off on his teammates who have worked to earn his trust.

“When you got someone like that, everybody’s gotta fall in line,” said Reaves, who is averaging 41 points in four games without Doncic this season. “If you don’t fall in line with someone like that, then you look crazy.”

The Lakers made it look perfect. Hachimura, who scored 12 points, sprinted down the sideline after his first-ever winning buzzer-beater. Reaves jumped on his back. James yelled toward the Lakers bench with outstretched arms. Redick relished seeing the look of pure joy on James’ face.

The 40-year-old superstar took no time to mourn the streak that he never truly tried to build. When asked for his feelings about the end of a run that was set to turn 19 years old next month, James looked almost puzzled at the question.

“None,” James said. “We won.”