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The Lakers star knew his incredible run of reaching double digits was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, it was not his focus.

The smart move involved passing the ball – and he executed. Consequently, his remarkable run was over.

James's staggering run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten was snapped this past Thursday, as basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight total points during the Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He made the decisive pass, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer as time expired.

“None,” James stated in response on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Choice Seals Victory

James could have tried to secure the game – and extended his record – on the final possession, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James raised his arms immediately.

It's about playing the game the right way. You always make the right play,” James explained. That is my M.O.. That is the way I was taught to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

He is very conscious exactly how many points he's scored at all times,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted as he has done countless times.”

The Streak's Final Moments

James re-entered the floor one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and the streak on the line. At that stage, he had only six points on a 3-for-15 performance then.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to level the contest and missed a shot with 1:01 left which could have pushed him to double digits.

He passed up one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, but James decided to make the pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the proper way, they will bless you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Staggering Record

The record started back in January 2007. It stood as the most extended streak of its kind in professional basketball: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but due to his nature as a player and his character off the court, he executed the pass, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a formality early in the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had reached the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had occurred in the last week: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. One game later, it was over – but he still rejoiced all the same.

My focus is to make the correct play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James said. “You make the right play, the sports deities are always returning the favor.”