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James understood his monumental run of scoring in double figures was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play involved passing the rock – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points concluded on Thursday night, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, feeding Rui Hachimura for a triple at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James stated when asked about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Choice Delivers the Game

James could have tried to secure the game – while also extending his record – on the final possession, but he chose to make the extra pass to Rui in the left corner. Rui connected, and James raised his arms triumphantly.

You have to play the game correctly. You always make the right play,” James noted. That is my M.O.. It's how I was taught the game. I’ve done that my whole career.”

James is acutely aware of how many points he's scored at any point,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted as he has done throughout his career.”

The Run's Final Moments

He returned to the game one last time at just over five minutes left, the result along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. He had a mere six points on 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to tie the game but then missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go that would have taken him into double figures.

He didn’t take another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, but James decided to make the pass instead.

The basketball deities, when you play it correctly, they often repay you,” the coach concluded.

The History of a Monumental Streak

James's streak commenced back in January 2007. It was easily the greatest streak of its kind in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays hoops. He had the opportunity but because of the player he is and his character as an individual, he made the pass, dished to Hachimura and claimed the game.”

Reaching double digits had long been a guarantee well before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

Yet two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters had occurred just days before: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. One game later, it concluded – and he celebrated all the same.

I only ever make the right play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James declared. “You make the unselfish play, the basketball gods consistently returning the favor.”