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The Lakers star knew his incredible streak of reaching double digits was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move involved passing the rock – and he executed. Consequently, the legendary streak finished.

James's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded this past Thursday, as the league's career points king finished with a mere eight points during the Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He made the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a triple at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James said in response on the record concluding. “We won.”

An Unselfish Play Seals Victory

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, but he chose to dish the ball to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura sank it, and James exulted triumphantly.

It's about playing the game the right way. Make the correct play,” James noted. That has always been my philosophy. That is the way I learned the game. I've played that way my whole career.”

He is fully cognizant of his point total he's scored at all times,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted like he’s done countless times.”

The Streak's End Game

He returned to the contest one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result along with the historic run up for grabs. His tally was only six points on 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a shot with 1:01 left that might have pushed him into double figures.

He avoided taking one more attempt – even though he had a chance. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, however, James chose to make the pass instead.

The basketball deities, when you play it the proper way, they tend to reward you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Record

The record started on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the most extended streak of its kind in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but given who he is on the court and just who he is as an individual, he chose the team play, found Rui and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought long before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had attained ten points by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

Yet two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods had happened just days before: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it concluded – but he still rejoiced regardless.

I only ever make the right play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the sports deities consistently rewarding me.”