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James understood his incredible run of reaching double digits was at risk. In that crucial moment, however, it didn't concern him.

The smart move involved passing the rock – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended this past Thursday, as the league's career points king finished with a mere eight points during the Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He made the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

“None,” James stated after being questioned on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Play Secures the Win

He might have sought to clinch the contest – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron exulted immediately.

“Just playing the game the proper way. Make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been my M.O.. It's how I was instructed to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

James is fully cognizant of his point total he's scored at all times,” said the team's head coach the coach. “He did it as he has done so many times.”

The Streak's End Game

He returned to the game one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win along with the historic run on the line. He had only six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He scored at 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left that might have taken him to double digits.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, however, James chose to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the proper way, they often bless you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Run

The record commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the most extended double-digit streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the sport. The chance was there but because of the player he is and his character as a person, he chose the pass, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had attained ten points entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

However, two such single-digit games after three periods had occurred recently: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

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

I only ever make the correct play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James said. “You make the right play, the sports deities consistently returning the favor.”