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James understood his incredible streak of putting up 10+ points was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, it was not his focus.

The right decision was to pass the basketball – and he executed. With that selfless act, the legendary streak finished.

James's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten was snapped this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer had only eight total points in the Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot to win the game.

“Zero,” James stated when asked on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Choice Delivers Victory

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – and preserved his record – on the final possession, instead, he decided to pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Rui connected, prompting James raised his arms immediately.

It's about playing the game the proper way. You always make the smart play,” James explained. “That’s just been how I operate. It's how I learned the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of how many points he has at any point,” stated the team's head coach the coach. He made the play as he has done countless times.”

The Record's Final Moments

James re-entered the contest for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the win along with the historic run on the line. He had only six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to level the contest but then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left that might have gotten him to ten points.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him with a few seconds left, however, James chose to dish it off instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it correctly, they will reward you,” Redick added.

The History of a Monumental Run

This incredible run began over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest such streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

He is such an unselfish player,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays hoops. The chance was there but due to his nature as a player and just who he is as a person, he executed the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits had long been an afterthought early in the final period. Throughout his run, he had attained double figures entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

But two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods had occurred in the last week: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

“I always just make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. If you make the right play, the sports deities forever giving back to me.”