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The Lakers star knew his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. In that crucial moment, however, it was not his focus.

The smart move was to pass the ball – so he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record came to an end.

James's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten was snapped on Thursday night, when the league's career points king finished with eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, feeding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer as time expired.

“None,” James said after being questioned about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Play Seals the Game

James could have sought to clinch the contest – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Rui connected, and James exulted immediately.

It's about playing basketball the proper way. Always make the right play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my philosophy. That’s how I was taught to play. I've played that way my whole career.”

He is fully cognizant exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has throughout his career.”

The Streak's Final Moments

He returned to the contest one last time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. He had only six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a shot at 1:01 left that would have taken him into double figures.

He didn’t take one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him as time wound down, yet LeBron decided to dish it off instead.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the proper way, they often reward you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Record

The record commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the most extended streak of its kind in professional basketball: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the sport. He had the opportunity but given the player he is and just who he is as an individual, he executed the unselfish play, found Rui and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a formality early in the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had reached ten points by the start of the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

Yet two such single-digit games after three periods had occurred in the last week: He had nine points going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in preserve the record against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – but he still rejoiced all the same.

I only ever make the best play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James affirmed. “You make the smart play, the sports deities are always returning the favor.”