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James understood his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. When it mattered most, however, it didn't concern him.

The smart move meant distributing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James replied in response about the streak ending. “We won.”

An Unselfish Play Secures Victory

James could have sought to clinch the contest – while also extending the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James exulted immediately.

It's about playing the game correctly. You always make the right play,” James noted. That is how I operate. That is the way I learned to play. I've played that way my whole career.”

He is very conscious of how many points he has during a game,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has throughout his career.”

The Record's End Game

He returned to the contest for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the win and his personal record both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He scored with 1:46 left to level the contest and missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that would have gotten him to ten points.

He avoided taking another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball as time wound down, however, James opted to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the right way, they often repay you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Monumental Record

The record started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the greatest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the sport. He could have shot but given who he is on the court and his character as an individual, he chose the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a guarantee early in the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had reached the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

However, two such single-digit games through three quarters had happened recently: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, followed by six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. One game later, it was over – yet he was celebrating regardless.

My focus is to make the best play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James affirmed. If you make the smart play, the sports deities consistently rewarding me.”