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James understood his historic run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, it was not his focus.

The smart move involved passing the basketball – so he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record finished.

LeBron's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances was snapped this past Thursday, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight total points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James stated when asked on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Choice Secures the Game

James could have tried to secure the contest – while also extending the streak – with the last shot, yet he opted to dish the ball to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James exulted immediately.

It's about playing the game correctly. Always make the correct play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. It's how I was instructed the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

He is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored during a game,” said Lakers coach the coach. He acted just as he has throughout his career.”

The Run's Final Moments

James re-entered the contest one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win and his personal record up for grabs. His tally was six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left which could have gotten him to ten points.

He passed up one more attempt – even though he had a chance. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, but James decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you do it the proper way, they will repay you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on a Staggering Streak

James's streak commenced over eighteen years ago. It was easily the most extended such streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the sport. He had the opportunity but given his nature as a player and his personality off the court, he chose the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a guarantee well before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had achieved ten points entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

However, two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters had happened in the last week: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive against the Suns. In the following contest, it concluded – yet he was celebrating anyway.

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James said. If you make the smart play, the basketball gods forever returning the favor.”