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James understood his incredible streak of reaching double digits was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, it didn't concern him.

The right decision involved passing the basketball – so he did. Following that play, his remarkable run finished.

LeBron's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded during a recent game, when basketball's greatest scorer had only a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close win against Toronto. He made the decisive pass, feeding Rui Hachimura for a triple to win the game.

“Zero,” James stated when asked on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Decision Seals the Game

He might have sought to clinch the game – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to dish the ball to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, and James raised his arms triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the proper way. You always make the correct play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I was instructed the game. That's what I've done for two decades.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of how many points he has during a game,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done countless times.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the outcome and the streak up for grabs. He had only six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to tie the game then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left which could have pushed him to ten points.

He passed up another shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, but James chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the right way, they will reward you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Record

The record commenced back in January 2007. It was easily the most extended double-digit streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the sport. The chance was there but because of the player he is and his personality as an individual, he chose the pass, passed it to Rui and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a formality long before the final period. During James’s streak, he had reached double figures by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

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

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it concluded – but he still rejoiced regardless.

I only ever make the correct play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James affirmed. When you make the right play, the basketball gods are always giving back to me.”