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The Lakers star knew his historic run of reaching double digits was in danger. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision meant distributing the ball – so he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record finished.

LeBron's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points concluded this past Thursday, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer to win the game.

“None,” James stated in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

An Unselfish Choice Secures the Game

James could have tried to secure the contest – and extended the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, prompting James celebrated with his hands in the air.

“Just playing basketball correctly. Make the smart play,” James remarked. That has always been how I operate. It's how I was taught to play. I’ve done that my whole career.”

He is very conscious exactly how many points he's scored during a game,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has so many times.”

The Run's Final Moments

James re-entered the floor one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and the streak both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had six points on a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left which could have gotten him into double figures.

He passed up a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron decided to make the extra pass instead.

The basketball deities, if you do it correctly, they often reward you,” Redick stated.

The History of an Unparalleled Run

This incredible run started on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the longest double-digit streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the sport. He could have shot but due to his nature as a player and his character off the court, he chose the pass, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a formality well before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had attained ten points entering the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

But two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had happened recently: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it finished – and he celebrated anyway.

I only ever make the best play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James declared. If you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods consistently giving back to me.”