With an empahtic dunk off a lob from JR Smith in the second quarter of Wednesday’s game, LeBron James reached double figures in his 866th consecutive game, equaling Michael Jordan’s all-time record.
And James did it against the team Jordan owns — the Charlotte Hornets.
Jordan’s streak lasted from March 25, 1986 through Dec. 26, 2001, while playing for the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards.
Most Consecutive Games With At Least 10 Points
Player | Games | Span
Michael Jordan | 866 | March 1986 to Dec. 2001
LeBron James | 866 | Jan. 2007 to present
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 787 | Dec. 1977 to Dec. 1987
Karl Malone | 575 | Dec. 1991 to March 1999
Kevin Durant | 562 | March 2009 to Feb. 2017
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In all on Wednesday night, James finished with 41 points (on 14-for-26 shooting), 10 rebounds, eight assists and a steal. After the win against Charlotte, James credited his streak to being healthy and productive.
“I’ve stayed available, obviously,” James told reporters when asked how the streak was possible. “I haven’t played every game, but for the most part I’ve played over 70 percent of my games throughout that journey, and just going out and just trying to be productive.
“I can’t even tell you how I’ve been able to do it. It’s not like I go into every game saying, ‘OK, I’ve got to get 10 points.’ It’s just kind of organic. It happens, and anytime I’m mentioned with some of the greats, and arguably the greatest basketball player of all time in Mike, it’s just another feat for me to be appreciative and humbled by what I’ve been able to do. And just knowing where I come from and knowing, I look at it and say, ‘Wow, I can’t believe I’m in this position,’ knowing where I come from.”
Aside from tying Jordan’s mark in the game, James also added to his place in NBA lore in another department. His fourth-quarter steal of Frank Kaminsky’s pass gave him 1,859 steals in his career, moving James past Kevin Garnett for 17th on that all-time list.
The last time James did not score at least 10 points was Jan. 5, 2007 against the Milwaukee Bucks, when he scored eight points on 3-of-13 shooting in a 95-86 victory.
James can break Jordan’s record Friday night when the Cavaliers host the New Orleans Pelicans (8 ET, ESPN).
Earlier this season, James became the youngest player in league history to reach the 30,000-point mark, doing so off a short jumper in the first quarter of a 114-102 Cavs loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Jan. 23.
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