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LeBron James was aware his monumental run of reaching double digits was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, it was not his focus.

The smart move was to pass the ball – and he executed. Following that play, the legendary streak was over.

James's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points was snapped this past Thursday, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to a mere eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He made the clutch helper, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple as time expired.

“None,” James said in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Play Seals Victory

James could have sought to clinch the game – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to dish the ball to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron celebrated immediately.

It's about playing basketball the proper way. Always make the smart play,” James explained. That has always been how I operate. That’s how I learned to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

James is very conscious of how many points he has at any point,” said Lakers coach the coach. He acted just as he has countless times.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the floor for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the result and his personal record on the line. At that stage, he had six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to knot the score then missed a shot at one minute to go which could have taken him into double figures.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, yet LeBron chose to make the extra pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the proper way, they tend to repay you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Staggering Streak

The record started over eighteen years ago. It was easily the greatest streak of its kind in NBA history: Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run with 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the sport. He had the opportunity but due to who he is on the court and his character as a person, he executed the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a guarantee early in the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had reached double figures entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

But two such games below ten points through three quarters took place recently: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, followed by six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to keep the streak alive against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

I only ever make the correct play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. “You make the unselfish play, the game gods are always rewarding me.”