The Los Angeles Lakers delivered a major update immediately after LeBron James’ unprecedented double-digit scoring streak came to an end in Toronto.
James, 40, is expected to sit out against the Boston Celtics on the second night of a back-to-back, according to the NBA official injury report. He is dealing with left foot joint arthritis, aside from sciatica.
The Lakers will also be without Luka Dončić for the second straight game due to the birth of his second child, while Marcus Smart remains sidelined with a lumbar strain. Boston, meanwhile, is near full strength except for All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum, still recovering from an Achilles tear.
The matchup, already a showcase of rivalry history and championship pedigree, now arrives with Los Angeles extremely short-handed and missing two of its foundational stars.
LeBron James’ Historic Streak Ends at 1,297 Games
James’ record-shattering run of 1,297 straight regular-season games scoring at least 10 points ended not with a failed attempt, but with an unselfish assist that delivered a victory.
Late in Thursday’s game, James passed up a potential driving lane and instead fed Rui Hachimura for the corner three, sealing a 123–120 win over the Raptors. The decision reflected the very identity that has defined his career.
“This is the best way,” James told The Athletic. “If it had to end, the perfect ending for the streak is tonight. It’s literally who I am.”
James finished with eight points, 11 assists, and six rebounds, snapping a streak that began on January 6, 2007 — a span covering three presidencies, two franchises, four NBA titles, and the rise of an era of stars who entered the league as James continued aging in reverse.
Has Father Time Finally Caught Up With LeBron James?
The streak ends at a moment of growing curiosity around James’ long-term production. Through six games, he is averaging a career-low 14.0 points on 41.3% shooting, though maintaining 7.8 assists per game — still elite production as a playmaking hub.
His scoring decline — the backbone that made him the NBA’s all-time scoring leader — has triggered legitimate questions about whether Father Time is finally gaining the lead in a race James has dominated for two decades.
Yet the Lakers point to context: James missed training camp and the team’s first 14 games due to offseason knee surgery and sciatic nerve issues. The organization believes his rhythm and conditioning are still building.
Whether this is simply a slow start or the beginning of a role evolution remains unclear, but the league is witnessing unfamiliar territory for the four-time MVP.
Lakers’ Offensive Identity Shifts With Dončić Out
In Thursday’s win, Austin Reaves erupted for 44 points, shouldering the scoring load without Dončić. Deandre Ayton added 17 points and eight rebounds, providing stability in the paint.
James attempted 17 shots, more than Ayton, but connected on only four.
The Lakers’ offensive hierarchy, once defined entirely around James, now appears far more evenly distributed, particularly with Dončić’s arrival as the franchise’s new lead engine.
When Dončić is active, James is often the No. 3 option. On nights Ayton engages early, he becomes the No. 4. It is the natural evolution of a roster built for committee production — and one that may be strategic protection for James’ longevity.
James: ‘Winning Has Always Been the Priority’
Despite the historic streak ending, James insisted the play and the outcome are what mattered.
“We’re in the business of winning basketball games,” James said. “I’ve played the game the same way my whole life: make the right play.”
Hachimura confirmed James scripted the moment.
“Bron told me, ‘I got you, it’s coming your way,’” Hachimura said. “I’d never hit a game-winner before, but I felt it.”
A streak ends. A question begins.
Is this the first true stage of transition for James, or simply another stretch he will outthink and outlast?
The next few weeks — and how the Lakers look without Dončić and possibly without James — may answer faster than anyone expected.
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