The Athletic NBA Daily – December 5, 2025

Episode: LeBron's Historic Streak Ends on Rui Hachimura Buzzer Beater

Hosts: Dave DuFour, Esfandiar "S" Baraheni
Guest: Law Murray

Episode Overview

This episode dissects one of the most thrilling NBA games of the season: the Los Angeles Lakers’ dramatic win over the Toronto Raptors, capped by a Rui Hachimura buzzer-beater—and marks the end of LeBron James’ 1,297-game streak of scoring at least 10 points. The hosts break down the significance of LeBron’s streak, the game's chaotic finish, standout performances from Austin Reaves and Scotty Barnes, and the Lakers’ current status and future needs. Later, Law Murray joins to discuss the Clippers’ tumultuous transition after parting ways with Chris Paul, with an eye on the team’s long-range rebuilding and potential trade moves.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

LeBron’s Streak Ends: Historical Perspective & The Game’s Climax

• LeBron’s Streak Snapped:

  • LeBron James’ nearly 18-year streak of scoring double digits ends at 1,297 games, as he tallies only 8 points in the Lakers’ win, but deals the decisive assist on Hachimura’s game winner.

    "LeBron James makes the game winning assist for the buzzer beater to Rui Hachimura... ending his 10 point scoring streak at 1,297 games."
    — Dave DuFour, [04:00]

  • Only 24 players in NBA history have even played that many games.

    “There have only been around 20 players in NBA history... 24 players that have even played 1,297 games.”
    — S Baraheni, [04:17]

• Sense of History:

  • Contextual details: When LeBron’s streak started in January 2007, Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable” topped the charts and Night at the Museum was #1 at the box office.

    "The number one song when the streak started: 'Irreplaceable' by Beyoncé. And the biggest movie... Night at the Museum, the first one."
    — Dave DuFour, [04:29]

Lakers vs. Raptors – High Drama Game Recap

• Pace and Physicality:

  • The game was fluid, physical, and “fun to watch,” with minimal stoppages and back-and-forth excitement, noted as possibly the year's best.

    "The flow was so much better when there's not that many stoppages... back and forth constantly."
    — S Baraheni, [08:18]

• Standout Individual Performances:

  • Austin Reaves:

    • With Luka Doncic out (due to his wife giving birth), Reeves posts his third 40+ point game of the year, thriving as a primary ball handler and master "grifter" at drawing fouls.

      "Austin Reeves... has mastered the dark arts... It's a gift. I honestly think the grifting aspect is a gift and Austin Reeves does it very well."
      — S Baraheni, [05:31]

    • Notably, Reeves’s scoring surges whenever Luka is sidelined.

  • Scotty Barnes:

    • Dominant defensively, blocks a key LeBron shot down the stretch, and imposes himself offensively, forcing doubles from the Lakers.

      "Scotty blocked that shot... There are so many moments throughout this season where he has just erased a point blank layup. He really is one of the best defenders in the league."
      — S Baraheni, [09:49][10:23]

  • Team Defense:

    • High-scoring affair (Raptors 120), with both teams struggling on the defensive end, especially the Lakers’ interior defense.

• LeBron’s Evolving Role & Legacy:

  • LeBron looked “old” and "a little checked out" this game, spending key moments on the bench and shooting 3-of-15 from the field.
  • Anecdote comparing criticism of LeBron passing up shots, tying back to the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals:

    “That is what he's been doing his entire career... it was a little bit poetic that his streak ended in that way.”
    — S Baraheni (referencing JJ Redick), [09:07]

• Memorable Sequence:

  • The Raptors expect a Lakers timeout in final minute; instead, Reeves scores off a chaotic play, contributing to the frenetic finish.

    "Neither team called the timeout for the last minute of the game... it was a really chaotic finish."
    — S Baraheni, [08:03]

Lakers Big Picture: Record vs. Reality & Future Moves

• Lakers’ Strong Record, Weak Defense:

  • At 16–5, Lakers seem strong but “don’t feel” like a top team:

    “They don’t feel quite like a 16 and 5 team. And maybe it’s the soft schedule... their interior defense is not great.”
    — Dave DuFour, [10:54]

  • Defensive struggles, especially without Marcus Smart. Offense is potent when healthy, thanks to pick-and-roll action with Deandre Ayton and Luka/Reeves.

• Potential Roster Adjustments:

  • Hosts suggest the Lakers need a defensive-minded wing (Herb Jones-type) and might need a trade before the deadline to solidify their status as contenders.

    “Go out and get a player of his caliber, a defensive minded guy. I think that really changes the trajectory for this Lakers team.”
    — S Baraheni, [13:07]

Law Murray on the Clippers: Chris Paul Fallout & What’s Next

Clippers Post-Chris Paul Energy Shift

• Immediate Impact:

  • The “energy” focus and the Clippers’ best win of the season after letting Chris Paul go is discussed:

    “Chris gets let go... and the Clippers have one of their biggest wins of the season... That's not something you can completely dismiss.”
    — Law Murray, [18:29]

• Roster & Backup Guard Situation:

  • Clippers bring in Ray J. Dennis (two-way) as their only true reserve small guard; team has struggled with injuries and lack of depth at this position.

• Locker Room Dynamics & Chris Paul’s Fit:

  • The way Paul was dismissed—Harden and Kawhi finding out via social media—points to internal dysfunction.
  • Murray contextualizes Paul’s history as a transformative, demanding leader who can eventually wear out his welcome:

    “We've seen Chris Paul join teams, make them better, eventually wear out his welcome... he's being treated like the variable here, but he's the constant.”
    — Law Murray, [21:37]

  • Paul was “going to be him unapologetically,” but the Clippers needed a change due to their poor record and locker room fit, not as a scapegoat.

Chris Paul’s Future, Trade Rumors, and Team Context

• Minimal Trade Market:

  • Paul's veteran minimum contract makes a buyout or meaningful return unlikely; he’s more likely to be “included with other contracts in a bigger deal.”

• Trade Deadline Expectations:

  • December 15th signals trade eligibility, but not instant fireworks—trades take time and planning.

    “December 15th is not... what June 30th is in the NBA. Things can happen, but... especially in-season trades... they’re complicated.”
    — Law Murray, [26:07]

• Clippers’ Big Picture Plans:

  • The team is trying to keep flexibility for 2026, with expiring deals for Harden/Kawhi. Big star names (Giannis, Zion, Trae Young, LaMelo, etc.) float in rumors, but fit, contract size, and team direction make big splashes unlikely.

    “Usually when you have a plan, you stick to it, whether you are doing better than people thought you would or... far below expectations.”
    — Law Murray, [29:17]

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On LeBron’s legacy and sacrifice:

  "That play, that final play where he sacrificed the game winner to give Rui the ball. That is what he's been doing his entire career. Yeah. So it was a little bit poetic that his streak ended in that way, you know?"
  — S Baraheni paraphrasing JJ Redick, [09:07]

• On Austin Reaves’ knack for drawing fouls:

  “He has mastered the dark arts... Honestly, the grifting aspect is a gift and Austin Reeves does it very well.”
  — S Baraheni, [05:31]

• On Chris Paul’s leadership style:

  “Chris was going to be him unapologetically. There’s no reason for him to change... But we've got to be real about how Chris impacts people over time.”
  — Law Murray, [21:37][23:27]

• On the Clippers' challenge:

  “Finding out that James Harden and Kawhi learned that Chris Paul was... being, you know, dismissed through social media is pretty funny...”
  — Dave DuFour, [20:53]

Timestamps: Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|------------| | Opening/Intro (skipped ads, soccer tangent) | [02:09] | | LeBron’s Streak Ends – Game Recap | [03:40] | | Raptors-Lakers Performances & Reactions | [05:31] | | Chaotic Final Minute, Reflections on LeBron | [08:03] | | Barnes’ Defensive Masterclass | [09:49] | | Lakers’ Soft 16-5, Need for a Trade | [10:54] | | Segment transition (upcoming Clippers talk) | [13:32] | | Law Murray joins to talk Clippers/Chris Paul | [18:09] | | Clippers’ win sans Paul, guard situation | [18:29] | | Locker room, CP3’s leadership, aftermath | [20:53] | | Trade possibilities, December 15th context | [24:51] | | Big-name trades, Clippers’ long-term plan | [26:39] | | Closing thoughts, episode wrap | [29:36] |

Final Thoughts

This episode expertly blends immediate game excitement with broad historical context and franchise strategy, spotlighting a symbolic end to an iconic LeBron streak, the emergence of new stars, and the perpetual churn of NBA roster-building drama. Both Lakers and Clippers fans will find plenty to chew on as the season’s storylines deepen.

Listen to future episodes for more analysis and subscribe to The Athletic NBA Daily for your weekday NBA fix!