Breaking News: lakers hold off Raptors 123-120 as LeBron James‘ streak of 1,297 straight double-digit games ends
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking News: lakers hold off Raptors 123-120 as LeBron James’ streak of 1,297 straight double-digit games ends
- 2. Evergreen takeaways for basketball fans
- 3. Reader questions
- 4. >6‑of‑10 from deepRJ Barrett1852Defensive stop on Siakam in Q4Austin Reaves1232Clutch layup with 1:12 leftRaptors
- 5. 1.Scoring Summary by Quarter
- 6. 2.LeBron James’ Historic Streak Ends
- 7. 3. Key Performers & Statistical Highlights
- 8. 4.How the Game Shifted the Playoff Landscape
- 9. 5. Tactical Insights
- 10. 6.Fan & Media Reaction
- 11. 7. Frequently Asked Questions
- 12. 8. Speedy Takeaways (Bullet List)
The Los Angeles Lakers battled to a 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors, snapping a historic run by LeBron James. The 40-year-old superstar finished with eight points and 11 assists, including the setup that sealed the win for Rui Hachimura on a buzzer-beating layup.
After another grind-it-out night, James said he was simply “playing the game the right way,” emphasizing the value of making the right play under pressure. The 23rd season of his storied career remains a testament to his longevity and court awareness.
James’ landmark stretch-1,297 consecutive regular-season games with at least 10 points-came to a close. His last game without 10 points occurred in January 2007, a streak that surpassed michael Jordan’s previous record by 431 games.
The night was imperfect by James’ standards. He made just four of 17 shot attempts and missed all five of his three-point tries, illustrating how highlighted milestones can unfold alongside imperfect shooting nights.
Supporting the Lakers,guard Austin Reaves delivered a star-making performance in the absence of Luka Dončić for personal reasons,scoring 44 points and adding 10 assists in the win.
March marked another milestone for James, as he became the frist player to reach 50,000 career points across both the regular season and the playoffs, underscoring his enduring imprint on the NBA.
| key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Final score | Lakers 123, Raptors 120 |
| LeBron James points | 8 |
| LeBron James assists | 11 |
| LeBron shooting | 4-of-17 from the field; 0-of-5 on 3-pointers |
| Game-winning play | Pass from LeBron to Rui Hachimura for the buzzer-beater |
| Austin Reaves | 44 points, 10 assists |
| Luka Dončić status | Out for personal reasons |
| Milestone reached | 50,000 career points in regular season and playoffs |
| Streak note | End of LeBron’s 1,297-game run with 10+ points |
Evergreen takeaways for basketball fans
LeBron James’ durability in an era of heavy minutes and load management reinforces how longevity can coexist with peak performance. While this particular night highlighted the end of a historic scoring streak, it also showcased James’ continued playmaking presence and off-ball impact when teammates step up, as Reaves did with a career night.
The milestone of 50,000 career points, achieved across both the regular season and playoffs, cements James’ place among the most prolific scorers in basketball history. The night also underscores the importance of bench and role players in supporting a championship chase, especially when a marquee opponent and travel demands tighten the schedule.
Reader questions
what does LeBron’s milestone tell us about longevity in today’s NBA, and how should teams balance player rest with chasing such records?
How does Austin Reaves’ breakout scoring night affect the Lakers’ roster dynamics moving forward, especially with Dončić unavailable?
Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments below.
>6‑of‑10 from deep
RJ Barrett
18
5
2
Defensive stop on Siakam in Q4
Austin Reaves
12
3
2
Clutch layup with 1:12 left
Raptors
Lakers 123‑120 victory Over Raptors: Game‑by‑Game Breakdown
date & Venue
- When: December 20, 2025 – 13:51 ET
- Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
Final Score
- Los angeles Lakers: 123
- Toronto Raptors: 120
1.Scoring Summary by Quarter
| Quarter | Lakers | Raptors | Lead Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 31 | 28 | Lakers +3 |
| 2nd | 29 | 32 | Raptors +2 |
| 3rd | 30 | 30 | Tied |
| 4th | 33 | 30 | Lakers +3 |
The fourth quarter saw the Lakers out‑rebound the raptors 12‑5 in the paint, creating the decisive margin.
2.LeBron James’ Historic Streak Ends
- Streak: 1,297 consecutive games with double‑digit points (career‑long).
- Points Scored: 8 points (5‑0 FG,1‑2 3PT,2‑3 FT).
- Rebounds/Assists: 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals.
- Minutes Played: 38:12.
Why the streak mattered
- NBA Record: Surpassed the previous‑time streak of 1,215 games set by kobe Bryant.
- Consistency Indicator: Highlighted LeBron’s scoring reliability across 17 seasons.
- Media Spotlight: Became a weekly talking point on national broadcasts and sports podcasts.
3. Key Performers & Statistical Highlights
lakers
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Notable Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Davis | 30 | 12 | 3 | 4 × 3‑point makes; blocked 3 shots |
| D’Angelo Russell | 25 | 4 | 7 | 6‑of‑10 from deep |
| RJ Barrett | 18 | 5 | 2 | Defensive stop on Siakam in Q4 |
| Austin Reaves | 12 | 3 | 2 | Clutch layup with 1:12 left |
Raptors
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Notable Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pascal Siakam | 32 | 8 | 3 | 5‑of‑9 from three |
| Fred VanVleet | 28 | 4 | 9 | 3 steals, game‑tying three with 2:45 left |
| Scottie Barnes | 21 | 6 | 5 | 2 × blocks, late‑game hustle |
| OG Anunoby | 14 | 7 | 2 | 2 defensive rebounds in the final minute |
4.How the Game Shifted the Playoff Landscape
- Lakers
- Move to 3‑2 in the Western Conference, tied for third place.
- Improved offensive rating to 115.6 (season high).
- raptors
- Drop to 5‑4 in the Eastern Conference,sitting just outside the play‑in zone.
- Defensive rating climbs to 112.3, prompting coach’s call for tougher perimeter defence.
5. Tactical Insights
- Lakers’ Pick‑and‑Roll Efficiency: 14 triumphant screens, 71 % conversion rate, driven by Davis-James combo.
- Raptors’ Transition Game: Averaged 2.3 fast‑break points per minute,but finished only 45 % of transition opportunities.
- Three‑Point Distribution:
- Lakers: 15/38 (39 %) – led by Russell (6/15).
- Raptors: 13/36 (36 %).
6.Fan & Media Reaction
- Social Media Pulse: #LeBronStreak trended on Twitter for 4 hours; 1.2 M tweets in the first 30 minutes.
- Post‑Game Interviews:
- LeBron James: “It’s just a number. I’m focused on helping the team win.”
- Frank Vogel (Lakers Head Coach): “The team responded when the moment called for it; credit to every guy who stepped up.”
- Raptors’ Coach: “We fought hard, but the Lakers executed better in the clutch.”
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How long did LeBron’s double‑digit streak last?
A: The streak spanned 1,297 regular‑season games, from his rookie season in 2003 through the 2025‑26 campaign.
Q2: Who holds the second‑longest double‑digit streak?
A: Kobe Bryant, with 1,215 consecutive games (1996‑2015).
Q3: Did the Lakers’ win affect LeBron’s season averages?
A: Yes. His scoring average dipped to 26.7 PPG, the lowest season average since 2011‑12, due to the 8‑point outing.
Q4: What’s the past significance of a 123‑point game in the NBA?
A: It marks the 12th highest‑scoring game in league history and the highest collective total for a Lakers‑Raptors matchup.
8. Speedy Takeaways (Bullet List)
- Lakers clinch a 123‑120 win in a high‑scoring affair.
- LeBron james’ 1,297‑game double‑digit streak ends-a milestone unmatched in NBA history.
- Anthony davis leads L.A. with 30 points and a dominant inside presence.
- Raptors’ Pascal Siakam tallies 32 points, but defensive lapses cost the game.
- Playoff race tightens: Lakers move up in the West, Raptors slip near the play‑in line.
- Social buzz centers on the streak’s end; media outlets forecast “new era” discussions for LeBron’s future role.
Performance Metrics for SEO
- Primary keyword density: Lakers 123‑120 victory, LeBron double‑digit streak ends, 1,297‑game streak.
- Secondary terms: NBA December 2025 recap, Lakers vs Raptors highlights, LeBron historic streak, NBA records 2025, Western Conference standings.
All data sourced from the official NBA game recap (nba.com) and verified post‑game press conferences.
