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James understood his monumental streak of reaching double digits was threatened. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move involved passing the basketball – and he executed. Following that play, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, as basketball's greatest scorer finished with a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close win against Toronto. He made the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot to win the game.

“Zero,” James said in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Choice Seals the Game

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – and preserved his record – with the last shot, but he chose to pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Rui connected, and James exulted immediately.

“Just playing basketball correctly. You always make the correct play,” James explained. That is my philosophy. That’s how I was taught to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

He is very conscious exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done countless times.”

The Run's Final Moments

James re-entered the contest for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the win along with the historic run on the line. His tally was a mere six points on a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to knot the score but then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left that would have pushed him into double figures.

He avoided taking another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, however, James decided to dish it off instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the right way, they will reward you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on a Monumental Record

James's streak commenced back in January 2007. It was, by far the greatest such streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

He is such an unselfish player,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the sport. He had the opportunity but given his nature as a player and just who he is as an individual, he made the pass, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been an afterthought well before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had attained the 10-point mark 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 took place just days before: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it was over – and he celebrated all the same.

I only ever make the right play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James declared. “You make the smart play, the basketball gods forever giving back to me.”