LeBron James recently pulled back the curtain on one of the most remarkable feats in NBA history-his record-setting streak of 1,297 consecutive games scoring in double figures. And in classic LeBron fashion, the story behind it isn’t about chasing numbers-it’s about staying true to the way he’s always played the game.
"I never went into the game during the streak saying, 'Okay, I have to get 10 points. I have to keep this streak going.' It would be a disservice to me."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 23, 2025
LeBron James on his 1,297-game double-digit scoring streak ending.
(via @mindthegamepod)pic.twitter.com/ltmNq3of58 https://t.co/5CYKQwSHUF
On a recent episode of the Mind the Game podcast, James sat down with Hall of Famer Steve Nash to reflect on the streak, which spanned over 16 seasons and three franchises-Cleveland, Miami, and Los Angeles. What stood out? LeBron never once stepped on the court with the sole intention of keeping the streak alive.
“I’m a guy that goes to the bench and I like to look at the stat sheet,” James said. “I like to be super efficient.
I’d be lying to say that I don’t know how many points I have at any given moment of the game. But I never went into the game during the streak saying, ‘okay, I have to get ten points.
I have to keep this streak going.’ It would be a disservice to me and the way I play the game.”
That mindset-focused on the flow of the game rather than the scoreboard-was on full display when the streak finally ended on December 4 in a 123-120 win over the Toronto Raptors. LeBron finished with eight points, 11 assists, and six rebounds in 36 minutes. It wasn’t a typical LeBron scoring night-he went 4-for-17 from the field and missed all five of his three-point attempts-but he still played a pivotal role in the Lakers’ win, orchestrating the offense and setting up teammates.
One moment in particular stood out. Late in the game, LeBron had a chance to extend the streak with a shot, but instead, he kicked it out to Rui Hachimura in the corner.
Hachimura drained the three at the buzzer, sealing the win. Nash brought up that play during the podcast and asked if LeBron knew he hadn’t hit double digits yet.
“Yeah, I was clearly aware,” James admitted. “I was so not in a rhythm. The one rhythm I know that I will always have is the ability to draw a crowd and put the ball on-time, on-target.”
He even recalled a near-miss that could’ve pushed him over the 10-point mark: a three from the right wing that danced around the rim before rattling out. “I was like, ‘okay, it’s one of those nights,’” he said.
And that’s the beauty of LeBron’s approach. The streak wasn’t about chasing milestones-it was a byproduct of consistency, of showing up night after night and doing what the game called for. Whether he was dropping 30 or dishing out 10 assists, he played with purpose, not pressure.
Even with the streak in the rearview, LeBron’s production hasn’t slowed. At age 40, he’s still putting up elite numbers.
Over his last five games, he’s averaging 27.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.2 assists while shooting nearly 54% from the field. That’s not just aging gracefully-that’s aging like a fine wine with a killer crossover.
Now, the Lakers-sitting at 19-7-turn their attention to the road ahead. They’ll face the Phoenix Suns (15-13) on Tuesday night in a Western Conference showdown before heading back to L.A. for a five-game homestand that kicks off on Christmas Day.
First up at home: the Houston Rockets (17-9), a team that’s been turning heads with its young core and defensive grit. That game tips off Thursday at 8 p.m.
ET on ABC and ESPN.
For LeBron and the Lakers, the schedule is about to tighten, the spotlight is about to brighten, and the tests are about to get tougher. But if the past 1,297 games have shown us anything, it’s that LeBron doesn’t need a streak to prove his greatness. He just needs the ball in his hands and the game in front of him.