LeBron’s 10-Point Streak Lives On, But Raises Eyebrows in Lakers’ Loss to Suns
LeBron James’ streak of scoring at least 10 points in a game is still alive-and now sits at a jaw-dropping 1,297 consecutive games. That’s a number that’s hard to even wrap your head around.
But Monday night’s performance against the Phoenix Suns, while historic in its own right, didn’t exactly feel like a vintage LeBron moment. The Lakers dropped the game 125-108, and James finished with 10 points on 3-of-10 shooting, adding just three assists and no rebounds.
It wasn’t just the stat line that stood out-it was how it came together. After the game, former NBA forward Chandler Parsons didn’t hold back, suggesting on Run It Back that James was clearly pressing to hit that 10-point mark and that the Lakers may be prioritizing his legacy over the team’s current goals.
“This was the first time in my life I saw an older LeBron James who played and looked like his age,” Parsons said. “He was not coming out until he got it [10 points]. This just felt like the first step on the way out and kind of catering to his legacy instead of focusing on this season and the game that was already over.”
It’s a strong take, and one that’s bound to stir up debate. Was LeBron stat-padding?
Or was he simply trying to help his team in the limited time he had on the floor? Either way, there’s no denying that this wasn’t the kind of outing we’re used to seeing from No.
- The 10 points were the bare minimum to keep the streak alive, and the rest of the box score was uncharacteristically quiet for the four-time MVP.
To be fair, this was only James’ fifth game of the season after a lengthy layoff, and that rust showed. His rhythm wasn’t quite there, his legs didn’t look fully under him, and the explosiveness we’ve come to expect was missing.
That’s not necessarily a red flag just yet-it’s December, and the NBA season is a marathon. But it’s also fair to acknowledge that at nearly 41 years old, LeBron is in uncharted territory.
We’ve seen him defy time longer than anyone expected. Twenty-two seasons in, and he’s still playing at a level most players would envy. But every great eventually slows down, and Monday night felt like a rare glimpse of that reality creeping in.
Still, one off night doesn’t mean the King’s reign is over. If anything, it’s a reminder of how high the bar has been set for LeBron.
We’re so used to 25-7-7 nights that anything less feels jarring. But if these kinds of performances become more frequent, the conversation will shift from legacy milestones to what kind of impact he can realistically have on a Lakers team trying to compete in a loaded Western Conference.
For now, the streak continues. And while it might not have been the prettiest way to get there, 1,297 straight games with double-digit scoring is a testament to LeBron’s consistency, durability, and greatness. The question now is whether he can keep that level of production going-and more importantly, whether it’ll translate into wins for a Lakers team that’s still trying to find its footing this season.