TORONTO — It was the right play by LeBron James and the first game-winner of Rui Hachimura’s seven-year career.
With eight points and the ball in his hands in the final seconds, James, as he has in his 23-year career, made the play that gave his team the best chance to win.
Hachimura sank the corner three as time expired, and pandemonium ensued with the team mobbing the Japanese forward in celebration, lifting the Lakers 123-120 over the Toronto Raptors to improve their record to 16-5.
LeBron James’ 10-point streak ends but the #Lakers get the W at the buzzer from Rui Hachimura.
James had a chance to score but found Rui in the corner for the better opportunity.
Lakers win 123-120 in Toronto and improve to 16-5.#Lakeshow
— Carlos Yakimowich (@CarlosYakJr) December 5, 2025
“Just playing the game the right way. You always make the right play,” James said on the game-winning assist. “That’s just been my MO. That’s how I was taught the game. I’ve done that my whole career. There’s not even one second of guessing that.”
It’s the first time since 2007 James did not finish a game with at least 10 points, ending his double-digit scoring streak at 1,297 straight games as he finished with eight points, six rebounds and 11 assists in the win.
“None… we won,” James said when he was asked about how he felt with the streak finally ending after 18 years.
Before the bedlam, a masterful second half from Austin Reaves kept the Lakers at bay against a Toronto team with full momentum at Scotiabank Arena.
Reaves poured in 22 points in the third quarter that kept the score close despite the Raptors scoring 40 points in the quarter.
With Luka Dončić out of the country due to personal reasons, L.A. needed a big night from Reaves, James and the rest of the banshees.
Reaves finished with the second-most points in a game this season, notching 44 points and 10 assists on 62% shooting and five made 3s.
Before the game-winning three, Reaves made an out-of-the-hat bucket to tie the game when it looked like the Lakers were going to call a timeout after Toronto went up two.
Even James was sitting on the bench while Reaves made a tough contested layup over Scottie Barnes, who led the Raptors on the night with 23 points.
Reaves admitted he thought the Lakers were down by one on the last possession, then the Raptors double Reaves and the rest is history.
“You tip your hat to a guy that just cares about winning and making the right play; that’s what he’s done his whole career,” Reaves said about LeBron’s winning play.
Jake LaRavia, Nick Smith Jr. and Deandre Ayton also contributed big minutes in the Lakers’ ninth road win of the season.
Ayton got the party started for the Lakers, giving them a huge presence in the Raptors’ paint, who were missing starting center Jakob Poeltl. He was a big part of the Lakers’ scoring in the paint, scoring 17 of L.A.’s 58 points inside.
LaRavia and Smith Jr. finished in double figures off the Lakers’ bench, with LaRavia notching 14 points (seven rebounds) and Smith Jr. adding 12 points.
The Lakers will head to Boston for the second night of a back-to-back on Friday night against the Celtics. Then they end their road trip on Sunday in Philadelphia.