LeBron James has been a model of consistency throughout his 21 years in the NBA, but is Father Time finally catching up to the league’s all-time leading scorer?
During the Los Angeles Lakers’ blowout loss to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night, James managed only 10 points (3-of-11 FG) and was a minus-25 during his time on the floor. Considering that four of those seven points came from the charity stripe, James could have just as easily ended his night with less than 10 points.
If James hadn’t sunk those free throws, the basketball world would have woken up to the news of one of his most impressive records — of which there are many — ending on January 11, 2024. By scoring at least 10 points, James extended his streak of double-digit scoring games to a whopping 1,186 games — dating to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 96-91 win over the New Jersey Nets on Jan. 6, 2007, a night in which he scored 19 points.
The last time James finished in single digits was during the Cavs’ 95-86 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on January 5, 2007, a game that saw him score just eight points in 43 minutes. That night marked one of only eight occasions that James has been held to single-digit points through his illustrious career — not including the postseason, of course.
A rough start to 2024
For context, James had another uncharacteristically low-scoring affair earlier this season when he went 6-of-18 from the field to finish with 12 points against the Miami Heat. In fact, the year 2024 hasn’t been very kind to James thus far, with his shooting splits regressing to 43/25/61 to start the year.
His latest slump notwithstanding, no player in history has come close to James’ streak of 1,186 double-digit scoring games. Even Michael Jordan managed only 866 such games, with his streak lasting from March 25, 1986, until December 26, 2001.
There are sportsbooks in Las Vegas that are invested in James’ neverending streak. The question remains, will we ever see the day when “The King” finishes a regular season game in single digits? The race is on.
LeBron James tonight:
10 points
3-for-11 FG
0-for-4 3PT
9 assists
5 rebounds😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/jC4Ytc3qoA
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 12, 2024
