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James understood his incredible run of reaching double digits was threatened. At the decisive instant, however, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play was to pass the ball – and he executed. With that selfless act, the legendary streak finished.

James's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten was snapped this past Thursday, as basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot to win the game.

“None,” James said in response on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Choice Seals the Win

He might have tried to secure the game – and extended his record – with the last shot, but he chose to pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron raised his arms with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game correctly. You always make the right play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my philosophy. That’s how I was taught the game. I've played that way for two decades.”

James is very conscious exactly how many points he has at any point,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done so many times.”

The Run's End Game

He returned to the game for the final time at just over five minutes left, the outcome and the streak up for grabs. His tally was six points on a 3-for-15 performance then.

He scored with 1:46 left to knot the score then missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left that might have pushed him into double figures.

He avoided taking one more attempt – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves passed him the ball with a few seconds left, but James decided to make the extra pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the right way, they often reward you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Staggering Run

The record began over eighteen years ago. It stood as the most extended streak of its kind in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded of 575 games.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the game of basketball. The chance was there but because of the player he is and his character off the court, he made the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a guarantee long before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had achieved double figures entering the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters took place in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, and then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it was over – yet he was celebrating all the same.

I only ever make the right play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. “You make the right play, the sports deities forever rewarding me.”