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The Lakers star knew his monumental run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, it was not his focus.

The smart move was to pass the rock – so he did. Following that play, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances ended this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight points during the Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, feeding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer to win the game.

“Zero,” James replied after being questioned on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Decision Delivers the Game

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the contest – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, but he chose to dish the ball to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, prompting James exulted with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball the right way. You always make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been my philosophy. That’s how I was taught to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

He is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has at any point,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He acted as he has done throughout his career.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the game one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome along with the historic run on the line. At that stage, he had six points on a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to level the contest and missed a 14-footer with one minute to go that would have pushed him to ten points.

He didn’t take one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, however, James opted to make the pass instead.

The basketball deities, if you do it correctly, they will repay you,” Redick added.

The History of a Monumental Streak

This incredible run began over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the most extended streak of its kind in NBA history: MJ previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing hoops. He had the opportunity but because of his nature as a player and his personality as a person, he executed the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually an afterthought early in the final period. During James’s streak, he had attained ten points by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

However, two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods took place recently: He recorded nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, followed by six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it was over – but he still rejoiced anyway.

My focus is to make the best play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James said. When you make the smart play, the basketball gods forever giving back to me.”