LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Rui Hachimura drilled a buzzer-beating three-pointer to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday as LeBron James’ incredible streak of double-digit scoring games ended.
With the National Basketball Association’s leading scorer Luka Doncic absent for personal reasons, Austin Reaves delivered a double-double of 44 points and 10 assists for the Lakers in a clash of East and West second-placed teams.
James scored eight points and handed out 11 assists, including the pass from the top of the key to Hachimura in the corner for the game-winner.
“That was crazy,” Japanese forward Hachimura said. “I never had a game-winner before.”
James saw his streak of 1,297 games with 10 or more points end — a run that began in January 2007.
But the league’s all-time leading scorer said he didn’t hesitate to dish to Hachimura on the final play, with his path to the basket blocked and Reaves also under pressure.
“Just playing the game the right way,” said the 40-year-old James, who is in his unprecedented 23rd season. “Always make the right play. That’s how I was taught the game.”