Veteran Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James did not score a point in his first 11 minutes on the court during his season debut against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. He ultimately attempted only seven shots — the third fewest of his career — to finish with 11 points, to go with 12 assists and three rebounds.
As a result, James extended his impeccable streak of double-digit scoring performances to a record 1,293 games. The 4-time MVP has scored in double digits in every game he has played since Jan. 6, 2007, when he scored 19 points for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The last time he didn’t score double digits was against the Milwaukee Bucks on Jan. 5, 2007, when he finished with 8 points (3-of-13 shooting) and nine assists.
Michael Jordan previously held the record for most consecutive double-digit scoring games, a streak that lasted from March 25, 1986, until December 26, 2001.
Passes Reggie Miller on 3PM List
Other Hall of Famers who scored double digits in at least 400+ consecutive games include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (787), Karl Malone (575), Kevin Durant (562), Moses Malone (526), Abdul-Jabbar (508), James Harden (450), Oscar Robertson (428) and Kevin Garnett (411).
Besides keeping his 18-year streak alive, James on Tuesday surpassed iconic Indiana Pacers sharpshooter Reggie Miller for sixth in the all-time list of three-pointers made.
James made two of three shots from deep on Sunday, which proved enough to pass Miller on the list, taking his overall tally to 2,561 threes.
LeBron James: More Milestones Await
The Lakers star now trails Dallas Mavericks wing Klay Thompson (2,729) by 168 threes on the all-time list. Even if James makes 2.0 threes per game from a possible 60 games this season, he won’t come close to the Golden State Warriors icon’s mark. Furthermore, Thompson has a great shot at surpassing Damian Lillard (2,804) for fourth on the all-time list, considering that Lillard (Achilles) won’t suit up this season.
LeBron James has the opportunity to reach several more milestones in his record-breaking 23rd season. He needs to play just 50 more games to surpass Boston Celtics legend Robert Parish (1,611) for most regular-season games played in NBA history.
Furthermore, he trails Jason Kidd by just 496 assists for No. 3 on the all-time list. James would need to average approximately 9.0 assists per game through at least 60 games to surpass Kidd for third-most assists in NBA regular-season history.
James averaged over 8.0 assists in his last two seasons, so it’s a safe bet that he’ll do it again, especially considering his new role as the third option on the Lakers behind the electric backcourt pair of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. After he tallied 12 assists on Tuesday, James was praised for his “unselfish” play by head coach JJ Redick.
“He played with the right spirit. Very unselfish all night. Was a willing passer, didn’t force it, took his drives and his shots when they were there,” Redick of James, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
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