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The Lakers star knew his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was threatened. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move was to pass the rock – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points ended on Thursday night, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He made the decisive pass, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple as time expired.

“Zero,” James said when asked about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Play Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the game – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, but he chose to dish the ball to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura sank it, and James celebrated triumphantly.

“Just playing the game the proper way. You always make the correct play,” James remarked. “That’s just been how I operate. That is the way I was instructed to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

James is acutely aware exactly how many points he has during a game,” said Lakers coach the coach. He acted just as he has throughout his career.”

The Run's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time at just over five minutes left, the result and his personal record both hanging in the balance. His tally was only six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left which could have taken him to double digits.

He didn’t take another shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, but James decided to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the proper way, they tend to reward you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on a Monumental Record

This incredible run started over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

He is such a team-oriented player,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. He could have shot but given the player he is and his character off the court, he chose the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a guarantee well before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had reached the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times before this game.

Yet two such single-digit games through three quarters took place recently: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it was over – yet he was celebrating all the same.

I only ever make the correct play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James declared. When you make the right play, the game gods consistently giving back to me.”