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

The correct basketball play was to pass the ball – and he executed. Following that play, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped on Thursday night, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot to win the game.

“Nothing,” James replied after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Decision Seals the Game

He might have attempted to win the game – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to dish the ball to Rui on the wing. Hachimura sank it, prompting James exulted immediately.

It's about playing basketball the right way. You always make the correct play,” James remarked. That is how I operate. That’s how I was taught to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

He is very conscious of his point total he's scored during a game,” commented Lakers coach the coach. He made the play just as he has so many times.”

The Streak's End Game

James re-entered the floor one last time at 5:23 remaining, the win and the streak both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a shot with 1:01 left which could have pushed him to ten points.

He passed up one more attempt – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you do it correctly, they often bless you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Monumental Streak

James's streak started back in January 2007. It stood as the most extended streak of its kind in NBA history: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman 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. The chance was there but due to the player he is and his character off the court, he executed the team play, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought well before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had achieved the 10-point mark entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

But two of those rare single-digit games after three periods had happened recently: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it was over – and he celebrated anyway.

My focus is to make the right play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. When you make the right play, the sports deities consistently returning the favor.”