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The Lakers star knew his incredible run of scoring in double figures was at risk. In that crucial moment, though, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play involved passing the ball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record came to an end.

James's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points was snapped on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He provided the clutch helper, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James replied after being questioned on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Choice Seals the Game

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the contest – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, and James celebrated with his hands in the air.

“Just playing basketball the proper way. Make the correct play,” James remarked. “That’s just been how I operate. It's how I learned the game. I've played that way my whole career.”

James is very conscious of his point total he's scored during a game,” stated Lakers coach the coach. He acted just as he has throughout his career.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the floor one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result and the streak both hanging in the balance. His tally was a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to knot the score and missed a shot with one minute to go that would have taken him into double figures.

He avoided taking another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball as time wound down, however, James decided to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it correctly, they will reward you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Monumental Streak

James's streak began over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the longest streak of its kind in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.

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

He focuses on playing hoops. The chance was there but due to who he is on the court and just who he is as a person, he chose the unselfish play, found Rui and secured the game.”

Getting to ten points was usually a formality well before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had attained ten points by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

Yet two such single-digit games through three quarters took place just days before: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it finished – yet he was celebrating all the same.

My focus is to make the right play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James declared. If you make the smart play, the game gods are always returning the favor.”