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James understood his incredible streak of reaching double digits was at risk. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move was to pass the rock – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, his remarkable run finished.

James's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped this past Thursday, as the league's career points king finished with eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a triple as time expired.

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

A Selfless Choice Secures Victory

He might have attempted to win the game – while also extending his record – on the final possession, but he chose to make the extra pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James exulted triumphantly.

“Just playing basketball the right way. You always make the smart play,” James noted. That is my M.O.. That is the way I was instructed the game. I’ve done that my whole career.”

He is very conscious of how many points he has at all times,” stated the team's head coach the coach. He acted just as he has countless times.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the floor for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the result along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points on 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to knot the score and missed a 14-footer at one minute to go that would have pushed him into double figures.

He didn’t take another shot – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron decided to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it correctly, they tend to repay you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Monumental Run

The record started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the most extended such streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run with 575.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the sport. He could have shot but because of the player he is and his character off the court, he chose the pass, passed it to Rui and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures was usually an afterthought long before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had achieved ten points entering the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

However, two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had happened in the last week: He had nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it was over – yet he was celebrating anyway.

My focus is to make the right play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James said. “You make the smart play, the basketball gods are always rewarding me.”