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LeBron James was aware his historic streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision involved passing the ball – so he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record came to an end.

James's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten ended during a recent game, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight points in the Lakers' close win against Toronto. He provided the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer as time expired.

“Zero,” James replied when asked about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Choice Seals the Game

James could have sought to clinch the game – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, but he chose to dish the ball to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Rui connected, and James celebrated immediately.

“Just playing the game correctly. Make the correct play,” James remarked. That has always been my philosophy. It's how I was taught to play. I've played that way my whole career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has during a game,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted just as he has countless times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the floor one last time with just over five minutes left, the result and his personal record up for grabs. At that stage, he had six points from 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left that might have taken him into double figures.

He avoided taking another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron decided to dish it off instead of shooting.

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

Reflecting on a Staggering Streak

The record started back in January 2007. It was, by far the longest double-digit streak in professional basketball: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list of 575 games.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the sport. The chance was there but due to who he is on the court and just who he is as a person, he executed the pass, found Rui and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits had long been a formality well before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had attained the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

However, two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods had occurred just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. The very next outing, it was over – but he still rejoiced all the same.

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James said. “You make the unselfish play, the sports deities consistently rewarding me.”