BOSTON -- The streak is over.
Rajon Rondo's stretch of 37 consecutive games with 10 or more assists came to an end Wednesday night when he was ejected with 29.5 seconds to go in the first half following an altercation with Kris Humphries during a heated battle against the New Jersey Nets.
The Boston Celtics point guard left the game with three assists, still a ways away if he had continued to play. On Sunday, he tied John Stockton for second all-time behind Magic Johnson, who reached the mark in 46 games.
Rondo began his stretch on March 11, 2012 with 10 dimes against the Los Angeles Lakers. He dished 20 three times during the streak, including twice this season.
The streak nearly ended on November 18 against the Detroit Pistons, but Rondo found Jared Sullinger for his tenth assist in the closing minute of a 20-point loss.
"Anytime any player is mentioned with those two guys, that means he's done something special," head coach Doc Rivers said after the Pistons game.
Rondo dismissed the individual importance of the streak. Following last week's loss to the San Antonio Spurs, he diverted attention away from himself and on to the final result.
"It's all about winning and we lost, so individual numbers don't matter," he said.
Throughout the past 37 games, Rondo consistently credited his teammates for making shots.
"It's something I look forward to every night," he said of his assists. "Just trying to make my teammates happy, and somehow I keep getting to ten."
Rondo reached his historical streak his own way, with deceptive passes and flashy ball handling. On Wednesday when he decided to go after Humphries, he ended it his way, too.