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James understood his monumental streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. At the decisive instant, however, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play was to pass the ball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, his remarkable run was over.

James's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points concluded this past Thursday, as the league's career points king was limited to a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a triple as time expired.

“None,” James replied in response about the streak ending. “We won.”

An Unselfish Choice Seals the Game

He might have sought to clinch the game – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to make the extra pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron raised his arms triumphantly.

“Just playing basketball correctly. Always make the smart play,” James noted. That is how I operate. It's how I learned the game. I’ve done that for two decades.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of his point total he has at any point,” commented Lakers coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done so many times.”

The Run's End Game

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and the streak up for grabs. At that stage, he had a mere six points on a 3-for-15 performance then.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to tie the game but then missed a shot at one minute to go that would have pushed him to double digits.

He avoided taking one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, yet LeBron chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, when you play it the proper way, they tend to bless you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Record

James's streak began back in January 2007. It was easily the most extended double-digit streak in NBA history: MJ previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list of 575 games.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but due to his nature as a player and his personality off the court, he made the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Getting to ten points was usually a guarantee early in the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had attained double figures by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

However, two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had happened in the last week: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. One game later, it finished – but he still rejoiced anyway.

“I always just make the correct play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. “You make the right play, the basketball gods consistently giving back to me.”