LeBron James’ record scoring streak ended but Roy Hachimura hit the winner

Toronto – The King’s reign ended, but the Lakers began a new, more important winning streak.

LeBron James’ 18-year, 1,297-game streak of 10 or more points ended in the Lakers’ 123-120 win over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday as the 40-year-old finished with eight points on four-of-17 shooting.

James last scored a goal on January 5, 2007, when Milwaukee held him to eight points on 3-for-13 shooting in 43 minutes. But Cleveland still won the game 95-86 as James had nine assists.

James then delivered with his playmaking, dishing the game-winning assist to Roy Hachimura for a three-pointer at the buzzer. Playing without Luka Donic, James had 11 assists to lead the offense by Austin Reaves’ 44 points and 11 assists.

Donic, the NBA’s leading scorer, missed Thursday’s game due to personal reasons. He and his fiance are expecting their second child. Coach JJ Reddick said the team expects Donick to be back “soon, but not an exact day yet.”

After the Lakers faded into the background; In Monday’s recent loss to the Phoenix Suns, when he barely extended the streak by hitting four of his 10 points in the fourth quarter of overtime, James came out aggressively on Thursday. His nine shot attempts were the second most on the Lakers by halftime.

But he only had four points. He missed his first six shots, some so bad they didn’t even hit the rim.

The Lakers still built a nine-point lead at halftime as James had four assists with no turnovers. Against one of the most disruptive defenses in the NBA, Redick preached ball security on Thursday after the Lakers committed 22 turnovers in their loss to the Suns.

The Lakers had 16 assists and five goals in the first half.