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The Lakers star knew his monumental streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play was to pass the ball – and he executed. Following that play, his remarkable run was over.

James's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten concluded during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

“Nothing,” James said when asked on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Choice Delivers the Win

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – and extended his record – on the final possession, yet he opted to pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James celebrated triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball the right way. You always make the smart play,” James explained. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I was taught the game. That's what I've done for two decades.”

James is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” said Lakers coach the coach. He made the play like he’s done so many times.”

The Streak's End Game

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time at just over five minutes left, the win along with the historic run on the line. His tally was a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to knot the score then missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left that might have taken him to ten points.

He avoided taking one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, yet LeBron decided to dish it off instead.

“The basketball gods, if you do it correctly, they tend to bless you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at a Staggering Streak

This incredible run began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the greatest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run with 575.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays hoops. The chance was there but given who he is on the court and just who he is as an individual, he chose the team play, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a guarantee well before the final period. During James’s streak, he had reached the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

But two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters took place just days before: He had nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to keep the streak alive against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – but he still rejoiced all the same.

My focus is to make the right play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods forever returning the favor.”