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James understood his monumental run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, it was not his focus.

The right decision meant distributing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended on Thursday night, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight total points in the Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the decisive pass, feeding Rui Hachimura to hit a triple as time expired.

“None,” James replied in response on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Choice Secures Victory

He might have sought to clinch the contest – while also extending his record – on the final possession, but he chose to make the extra pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Rui connected, with LeBron raised his arms with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game the proper way. Always make the right play,” James noted. That is my M.O.. That’s how I was taught the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

He is acutely aware of his point total he has at all times,” said the team's head coach the coach. He made the play like he’s done countless times.”

The Streak's Final Moments

James re-entered the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the win and his personal record on the line. At that stage, he had six points on a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to knot the score but then missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go that might have pushed him to double digits.

He didn’t take another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate gave James the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron opted to make the pass instead of shooting.

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

The History of an Unparalleled Streak

The record started over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the greatest double-digit streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the sport. The chance was there but because of the player he is and just who he is as an individual, he chose the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points had long been an afterthought long before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had attained double figures by the start of the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

However, two of those rare games below ten points after three periods took place just days before: 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 keep the streak alive against the Suns. The very next outing, it was over – but he still rejoiced all the same.

I only ever make the best play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. When you make the right play, the sports deities consistently giving back to me.”