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LeBron James was aware his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was at risk. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move involved passing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, his remarkable run was over.

LeBron's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended this past Thursday, as basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He made the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot to win the game.

“Nothing,” James replied when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Team-First Decision Delivers Victory

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura sank it, and James raised his arms triumphantly.

It's about playing the game the proper way. You always make the smart play,” James explained. That is how I operate. It's how I was instructed to play. I've played that way my whole career.”

“LeBron is very conscious of how many points he has at any point,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done countless times.”

The Record's Final Moments

He returned to the floor for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result along with the historic run on the line. He had six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go that might have gotten him to ten points.

He didn’t take another shot – but could have. A teammate found him as time wound down, however, James chose to make the extra pass instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the right way, they often reward you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Monumental Run

This incredible run began back in January 2007. It was easily the most extended such streak the league has ever seen: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing hoops. The chance was there but given the player he is and his character as a person, he chose the team play, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been an afterthought long before the final period. During James’s streak, he had attained double figures by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

But two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters took place just days before: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it was over – and he celebrated regardless.

My focus is to make the right play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James said. If you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods are always rewarding me.”