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LeBron James was aware his historic streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move was to pass the rock – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, as basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight total points in the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“None,” James stated when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

An Unselfish Play Seals the Game

James could have tried to secure the game – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to pass to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James celebrated with his hands in the air.

You have to play the game correctly. Always make the right play,” James remarked. That is how I operate. That is the way I was instructed the game. I've played that way my whole career.”

“LeBron is very conscious of how many points he has at any point,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He made the play like he’s done so many times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time with just over five minutes left, the outcome and his personal record on the line. At that stage, he had only six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to knot the score and missed a shot at one minute to go that might have gotten him to ten points.

He didn’t take one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, but James chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you approach it the proper way, they will bless you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Monumental Run

This incredible run commenced back in January 2007. It stood as the longest streak of its kind in professional basketball: MJ had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the sport. He could have shot but because of the player he is and his personality as a person, he chose the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and we won the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought well before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had reached double figures entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

But two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters took place recently: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. The very next outing, it concluded – and he celebrated anyway.

My focus is to make the right play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the smart play, the sports deities are always rewarding me.”