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James understood his historic run of scoring in double figures was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play was to pass the rock – and he executed. Following that play, the unprecedented record was over.

James's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended this past Thursday, as basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight total points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the game-winning assist, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James stated when asked about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Selfless Decision Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the contest – while also extending his record – with the last shot, instead, he decided to pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron raised his arms triumphantly.

You have to play the game the proper way. You always make the smart play,” James noted. “That’s just been my philosophy. It's how I was instructed the game. That's what I've done for two decades.”

James is acutely aware of his point total he has during a game,” commented the team's head coach the coach. “He did it as he has done countless times.”

The Record's Final Moments

He returned to the floor one last time at just over five minutes left, the win and the streak up for grabs. At that stage, he had six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left that would have gotten him into double figures.

He didn’t take another shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, yet LeBron chose to make the extra pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the proper way, they will bless you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at a Monumental Streak

James's streak started over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the most extended double-digit streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but due to his nature as a player and just who he is as a person, he executed the team play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had attained the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

But two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had occurred recently: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, followed by six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record against the Suns. One game later, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

I only ever make the correct play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James declared. If you make the unselfish play, the sports deities consistently rewarding me.”