The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t leave Toronto with another LeBron milestone. They left with something better — a win sealed by Rui Hachimura, and a moment that showed exactly why LeBron James still dictates the rhythm of this team.
Hachimura buried the go-ahead corner three to beat the Toronto Raptors 123–120 on Thursday night. It was the first game-winner of his career, and it arrived off a pass James chose to make — even though taking the shot himself would have extended the most absurd streak in league history.
Instead of chasing his 1,297th straight double-digit scoring night, he trusted Hachimura.
And he told him so.
Hachimura: “Bron told me it was coming to me.”
On the final possession, the Lakers ran a set for Austin Reaves. Toronto trapped it quickly, forcing the ball back to James near the wing. The Raptors scrambled. Hachimura slid to the corner. James made the read he’s made his entire career.
Rui knocked it down. Ballgame.
Afterward, Hachimura said the moment wasn’t a surprise.
“Bron told me right before the play, ‘I got you, it’s coming your way,’” Hachimura said postgame. “I’ve never had a game-winner before, but I knew it. I felt it. I was ready.”
There wasn’t much hesitation from him — just a catch, a rise and a clean release in the biggest moment of the night.
LeBron’s streak ends, but his identity doesn’t
James finished with eight points, ending a scoring streak that stretched across 18 seasons — longer than some current players have been alive. It’s the kind of record that could have easily tempted him into forcing up a shot.
He didn’t even consider it.
“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. I’ve won at every level doing that, so there was never a reason to change.”
The Lakers improved to 16–5 and continue looking like one of the most balanced teams in the league. They’ve won with their stars healthy, won through injuries, and won on nights like this — where one of the best players in NBA history doesn’t get his numbers but still controls everything.
Why this shot matters for the Lakers
This wasn’t just a clutch moment. It was a continuation of everything the Lakers want from Hachimura:
-
A confident, decisive scorer
-
A complementary threat next to James, Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic
-
A steady presence who punishes defenses focused on the stars
Hachimura has been building toward a moment like this — and James choosing to feed him in the biggest possession of the night says plenty about how the locker room views him.
The Lakers now shift their attention to Boston, where they face the Boston Celtics on Friday. And while LeBron’s scoring streak may be gone, the identity that built it — trust, patience, and the right basketball play — was on full display in Toronto.
The night belonged to Rui Hachimura. LeBron just made sure he got there.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Lakers’ Hachimura Reveals LeBron’s Message Before Game-Winner appeared first on Heavy Sports.