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James understood his incredible streak of reaching double digits was threatened. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play involved passing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances was snapped this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight total points during the Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“None,” James said in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Team-First Play Secures the Game

He might have tried to secure the contest – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to dish the ball to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron celebrated triumphantly.

“Just playing basketball correctly. You always make the correct play,” James explained. That is how I operate. It's how I learned to play. That's what I've done for two decades.”

James is very conscious of how many points he's scored at all times,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has countless times.”

The Record's Final Moments

He returned to the game one last time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome and the streak on the line. He had six points from 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to tie the game then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go that would have taken him to double digits.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves passed him the ball with a few seconds left, however, James decided to dish it off instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the right way, they will repay you,” Redick added.

The History of a Monumental Record

James's streak started over eighteen years ago. It stood as the most extended double-digit streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run with 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays hoops. He had the opportunity but given the player he is and just who he is as a person, he made the team play, found Rui and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought early in the final period. Over the course of the record, he had attained the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

Yet two such single-digit games after three periods had occurred just days before: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive against the Suns. The very next outing, it was over – but he still rejoiced all the same.

My focus is to make the best play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James declared. When you make the right play, the basketball gods are always rewarding me.”