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James understood his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. At the decisive instant, however, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten was snapped this past Thursday, when the league's career points king had only a mere eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer as time expired.

“None,” James stated when asked on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Decision Secures the Game

He might have sought to clinch the game – and preserved his record – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to dish the ball to Rui on the wing. Rui connected, with LeBron celebrated with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game correctly. Always make the correct play,” James remarked. “That’s just been how I operate. That’s how I was taught the game. That's what I've done for two decades.”

“LeBron is very conscious of his point total he has at any point,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He acted as he has done so many times.”

The Run's Final Moments

He returned to the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the outcome and the streak on the line. His tally was only six points on a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to tie the game then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go that would have taken him to double digits.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, however, James decided to dish it off instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it correctly, they tend to reward you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Monumental Run

James's streak commenced over eighteen years ago. It was easily the greatest double-digit streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the sport. He could have shot but given who he is on the court and his personality as an individual, he chose the team play, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought well before the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had attained ten points entering the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

However, 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, then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. One game later, it was over – and he celebrated regardless.

My focus is to make the right play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James declared. When you make the right play, the basketball gods are always giving back to me.”