In what could be his final game in Toronto, LeBron James chose the winning play over his own historic streak, delivering a classic pass to break Raptors fans’ hearts one more time.
With the game tied and seconds remaining, James made a decisive read, feeding a wide-open Rui Hachimura for a game-winning three-pointer that sealed a 123-120 victory for the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. The brilliant assist came on a night where James was held to just eight points, snapping his unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive games scoring in double figures—a run dating back to January 2007.
The Decisive Moment
With Austin Reaves double-teamed on the final possession, the ball swung to James. Faced with a four-on-three advantage, he immediately located Hachimura in the corner and delivered a perfect pass.
“Just playing the game the right way,” James said. “That’s been my M.O. my whole career… (I was) just trying to put the ball on time, on target to Rui in his shot pocket and he knocked it down.”
A Potential Farewell Performance
The 40-year-old James, battling sciatica and nearing free agency, acknowledged the special atmosphere in a city where he has authored so many playoff battles. “These fans are unbelievable… I’ve always loved and appreciated the fan support here,” he said. “Man, they’re one of a kind.”
If this was his Toronto finale, credit went largely to Raptors forward Scottie Barnes, who hounded James into a 4-for-17 shooting night. “I thought Scottie did an outstanding job on him,” said Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic.
Game Notes
- Lakers: Austin Reaves carried the offensive load with a season-high 44 points, helping offset the absence of NBA scoring leader Luka Dončić.
- Raptors: Scottie Barnes led Toronto with 23 points, while Brandon Ingram added 20 but missed a key layup with 23 seconds left. Starting center Jakob Poeltl was rested (back), with Sandro Mamukelashvili stepping in to contribute 13 points and 8 rebounds.
- What’s Next: The Raptors (15-6) host the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. The Lakers continue their road trip.
