LeBron James cared more about sealing a win than extending his signature milestone, and his decision now leaves Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the only active player carrying a historic scoring streak. James’ NBA-record run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with at least 10 points ended Thursday night in Toronto when he chose to set up Rui Hachimura for a clean look instead of forcing a shot. Hachimura drilled the buzzer-beating three, James walked away with eight points and the assist that secured a 123-120 Lakers win, and the streak stopped on his terms, per CNN.
That moment cleared the final active name from the 10-point streak list and spotlighted the league’s newest scoring constant. Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP and Finals MVP, now stands alone among current players with a live scoring streak and has climbed to second all-time in consecutive 20-point games. He reached 93 straight on Sunday against the Trail Blazers, then pushed the streak to 94 during Tuesday’s win over the Golden State Warriors.
Shai Extends Historic Pace as LeBron’s Run Closes
Gilgeous-Alexander nearly saw his run snapped on Sunday when he entered the final five minutes with 16 points. He responded with 10 points down the stretch to keep Oklahoma City’s momentum intact and preserve the streak that dates back to November 1, 2024. His breakout that night featured 30 points in a win over Portland, the same team he needed to overcome last week to keep the streak alive.
The Thunder star has averaged roughly 32 points this season, staying close to the 32.7 mark that powered him through last year’s championship run. With Oklahoma City holding the best record in the NBA, his push toward back-to-back titles has unfolded alongside his pursuit of Wilt Chamberlain’s historic benchmark of 126 straight 20-point games.
James’ streak still lives in its own category. No active player sits near his 1,297 consecutive 10-point games, and legends like Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone and Kevin Durant round out the top of that list, per ESPN. The same goes for the consecutive 30-point category, anchored by Chamberlain, James Harden and Joel Embiid. Gilgeous-Alexander, however, owns the only active streak with historical weight in the 20-point range.
Wilt’s Record Looms as the Thunder Keep Winning
Chamberlain’s name appears twice in the top three spots for consecutive 20-point games. His 92-game run from 1963 to 1964 slipped to third once Gilgeous-Alexander passed it last week. His record of 126 straight games, set from 1961 to 1963, remains the target. Gilgeous-Alexander needs 32 more to tie and 33 to surpass it.
If he keeps playing every game and maintains his scoring pace, he could match Chamberlain as soon as February 12 against the Milwaukee Bucks. If he rests twice during the stretch, he could break the record in his home country on February 24 against the Toronto Raptors. That possibility adds an extra layer to a chase that already feels historic.
Oklahoma City looks built for another deep postseason run, and Gilgeous-Alexander’s climb up the all-time scoring ladder has become central to their rise. With LeBron’s streak complete, the league’s only active scoring run of consequence belongs to him, and based on his pace, the next player to sit atop the record books might be the one still adding to his tally.
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