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James understood his monumental streak of scoring in double figures was at risk. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move involved passing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, his remarkable run was over.

James's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended on Thursday night, when basketball's greatest scorer had only eight total points during the Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He provided the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot as time expired.

“Nothing,” James said when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Decision Delivers Victory

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to pass to Rui on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron raised his arms with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game the right way. Make the right play,” James remarked. That is my philosophy. It's how I was instructed to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

He is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” commented Lakers coach the coach. “He did it as he has done countless times.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win and the streak up for grabs. His tally was only six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a shot with one minute to go that would have gotten him into double figures.

He passed up one more attempt – but could have. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, however, James decided to make the pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, when you play it correctly, they tend to reward you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at a Staggering Streak

The record started back in January 2007. It was easily the most extended such streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list at 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. The chance was there but because of his nature as a player and his character off the court, he executed the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been a formality early in the final period. Over the course of the record, he had attained double figures by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

But two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods took place just days before: He recorded nine going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it finished – and he celebrated anyway.

My focus is to make the right play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James said. When you make the unselfish play, the sports deities consistently returning the favor.”