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James understood his monumental streak of reaching double digits was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, it didn't concern him.

The right decision was to pass the basketball – so he did. Consequently, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances concluded during a recent game, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He made the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot as time expired.

“Nothing,” James stated when asked about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Choice Seals the Win

He might have sought to clinch the game – and extended his record – on the final possession, instead, he decided to pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, prompting James raised his arms with his hands in the air.

You have to play basketball correctly. You always make the correct play,” James noted. That has always been how I operate. It's how I was instructed to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware exactly how many points he has during a game,” said Lakers coach the coach. He made the play like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Streak's End Game

He returned to the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the win and his personal record both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He scored at 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go which could have pushed him to double digits.

He passed up one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves gave James the ball with a few seconds left, but James decided to dish it off instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the proper way, they tend to repay you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on a Staggering Record

This incredible run commenced back in January 2007. It was easily the most extended such streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the sport. He had the opportunity but given his nature as a player and just who he is off the court, he chose the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been a formality long before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had achieved double figures by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

But two such games below ten points through three quarters had occurred just days before: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – yet he was celebrating regardless.

“I always just make the correct play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the smart play, the sports deities consistently returning the favor.”