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LeBron James was aware his monumental run of putting up 10+ points was at risk. When it mattered most, however, it didn't concern him.

The smart move meant distributing the rock – so he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record finished.

LeBron's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended this past Thursday, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple as time expired.

“None,” James said after being questioned about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Decision Secures Victory

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – and extended his record – with the last shot, but he chose to make the extra pass to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron celebrated with his hands in the air.

“Just playing basketball correctly. You always make the correct play,” James noted. “That’s just been my philosophy. That’s how I was instructed to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

He is very conscious of his point total he's scored at any point,” stated Lakers coach the coach. He acted as he has done countless times.”

The Streak's End Game

He returned to the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the outcome along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. He had a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He scored at 1:46 left to tie the game and missed a shot at 1:01 left that might have gotten him to double digits.

He passed up one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him as time wound down, but James opted to make the pass instead.

The basketball deities, when you play it the proper way, they will reward you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at a Monumental Streak

James's streak started over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the longest double-digit streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list of 575 games.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the sport. He had the opportunity but because of the player he is and his personality as an individual, he made the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and claimed the victory.”

Getting to ten points had long been an afterthought early in the final period. During James’s streak, he had attained ten points entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

Yet two such single-digit games through three quarters had occurred recently: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. One game later, it finished – but he still rejoiced anyway.

My focus is to make the right play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James said. If you make the smart play, the basketball gods consistently rewarding me.”