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James understood his monumental run of scoring in double figures was in danger. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

The smart move involved passing the rock – so he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's astounding run of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended during a recent game, as the league's career points king had only eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer to win the game.

“Zero,” James replied in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Team-First Choice Seals the Game

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the game – and extended his record – with the last shot, instead, he decided to pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Rui connected, prompting James exulted triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the proper way. Make the right play,” James noted. “That’s just been my M.O.. That’s how I learned to play. I’ve done that my whole career.”

James is fully cognizant of his point total he has at any point,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted like he’s done so many times.”

The Streak's End Game

LeBron checked back into the contest one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result and the streak both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go that might have taken him into double figures.

He passed up a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him as time wound down, but James decided to make the extra pass instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the right way, they often reward you,” the coach concluded.

The History of a Monumental Record

James's streak began over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the most extended such streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run with 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but due to his nature as a player and his personality off the court, he executed the team play, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”

Scoring in double figures was usually an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had achieved the 10-point mark entering the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

Yet two such games below ten points after three periods took place in the last week: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to keep the streak alive against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – but he still rejoiced regardless.

My focus is to make the correct play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James affirmed. “You make the unselfish play, the basketball gods forever giving back to me.”