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James understood his historic run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. At the decisive instant, however, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move was to pass the ball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the legendary streak was over.

James's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances concluded this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He made the clutch helper, feeding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot as time expired.

“Zero,” James replied in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Team-First Decision Secures Victory

James could have tried to secure the game – while also extending the streak – with the last shot, but he chose to make the extra pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron raised his arms triumphantly.

“Just playing basketball correctly. Always make the correct play,” James remarked. That is how I operate. That is the way I was taught to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored at all times,” said the team's head coach the coach. “He did it just as he has countless times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the floor one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win along with the historic run on the line. His tally was a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that would have taken him to ten points.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate gave James the ball as time wound down, however, James chose to dish it off instead.

The spirits of the game, when you play it correctly, they will reward you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Run

The record started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the most extended such streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

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

He simply plays hoops. He had the opportunity but because of who he is on the court and his character as an individual, he made the pass, passed it to Rui and we won the game.”

Reaching double digits had typically been an afterthought well before the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

But two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had happened in the last week: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. One game later, it was over – yet he was celebrating all the same.

My focus is to make the correct play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. If you make the unselfish play, the sports deities forever rewarding me.”