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James understood his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play involved passing the basketball – and he executed. Consequently, the unprecedented record finished.

James's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances concluded on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, feeding Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot to win the game.

“Zero,” James stated when asked about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Choice Delivers Victory

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the game – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to dish the ball to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron exulted with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball the proper way. Make the smart play,” James noted. That is my philosophy. That is the way I was instructed the game. I’ve done that my whole career.”

“LeBron is very conscious exactly how many points he has during a game,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done countless times.”

The Record's Final Moments

James re-entered the floor one last time at 5:23 remaining, the result along with the historic run on the line. His tally was a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to knot the score but then missed a shot at 1:01 left which could have pushed him to double digits.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate passed him the ball in the waning seconds, but James decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, when you play it the right way, they tend to reward you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on a Monumental Record

The record commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the longest double-digit streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list at 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the sport. The chance was there but because of the player he is and his character off the court, he executed the pass, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits had long been a guarantee well before the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had achieved double figures entering the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

Yet two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters took place in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it was over – and he celebrated anyway.

My focus is to make the best play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. “You make the unselfish play, the basketball gods forever returning the favor.”