Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James‘ 18-year streak of double-digit games nearly ended in Monday’s 125-108 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
With 6:51 left in the fourth quarter, James finally reached 10 points when he drained a 27-foot step back three, cutting the Lakers’ deficit to 21 points. He would check out of the game less than a minute later during the blowout loss at home.
Lakers fans on social media ripped James for “stat-padding” and firing up ill-advised shots in the second half to keep his double-digit scoring streak alive.
“Lebron James just had the most shameless statpad of all time to preserve his 10 point streak,” remarked one fan.
One fan posted a photo of Michael Jordan along with the following post:
“Lebron James when it comes to stat padding in blowouts just to keep a stupid 10 points streak going.”
LeBron James Faces Backlash
It’s worth noting that James attempted three shots within the span of one minute — between the 7:19 and 6:20 mark in the fourth quarter — before Lakers head coach JJ Redick pulled him out of the game. As such, there is some credence to the theory that he was attempting to keep his double-digit scoring streak alive.
Also worth noting is that Redick sat Luka Doncic in the entire fourth quarter as his team trailed by 19 points, 96-77, entering the final period.
LeBron James 10-Point Streak
James ultimately finished with 10 points (3-of-10 FG), zero rebounds, three assists and three turnovers in arguably one of the worst games of his career.
“The King” has struggled mightily since returning from sciatica, averaging a career-low 15.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 7.2 assists at mediocre 46/31/55 shooting splits. He was initially listed as out for the game against the Suns, but suited up at the last minute after he admittedly felt better about his health on Monday morning.
James blamed turnovers for Monday’s humiliating loss.
“Turnovers, transition points,” James said after the loss, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “And obviously, on our home floor and against a disruptive defense like that, you can’t turn the ball over that much. And they were pretty much all pick-sixes. They not only turned us over, they were able to convert.”
James extended his 18-year double-digit streak to 1,297 games on Monday. His streak began on Jan. 6, 2007, when he scored 19 points for the Cleveland Cavaliers. 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.
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