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The Lakers star knew his historic run of scoring in double figures was at risk. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move involved passing the ball – and he executed. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record came to an end.

James's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a triple to win the game.

“Zero,” James stated after being questioned about the streak ending. “We won.”

An Unselfish Choice Secures Victory

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the contest – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to dish the ball to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Rui connected, with LeBron raised his arms triumphantly.

“Just playing basketball the right way. Make the smart play,” James explained. That is how I operate. That is the way I was instructed to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

He is very conscious of how many points he has at all times,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He made the play like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

He returned to the floor for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the result along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. His tally was a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance then.

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

He passed up a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball as time wound down, but James decided to dish it off instead.

The basketball deities, when you play it the right way, they will repay you,” Redick stated.

The History of an Unparalleled Record

This incredible run began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the greatest such streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

He is such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but due to the player he is and his character as an individual, he chose the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and we won the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a guarantee long before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had reached the 10-point mark entering the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

However, two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had happened in the last week: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – yet he was celebrating all the same.

“I always just make the best play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. If you make the smart play, the game gods consistently returning the favor.”