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James understood his historic streak of reaching double digits was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, it was not his focus.

The smart move was to pass the ball – and he executed. With that selfless act, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points concluded this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with a mere eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple as time expired.

“Zero,” James replied after being questioned on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Team-First Play Secures Victory

James could have attempted to win the contest – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron exulted triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the proper way. Make the correct play,” James explained. “That’s just been my M.O.. That is the way I was taught the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

He is very conscious of his point total he has at any point,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has so many times.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the contest for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the result and the streak both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had only six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go which could have pushed him into double figures.

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

The basketball deities, when you play it the proper way, they tend to reward you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on a Staggering Record

The record commenced over eighteen years ago. It stood as the greatest double-digit streak in professional basketball: MJ had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but because of who he is on the court and just who he is off the court, he made the team play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a guarantee long before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had reached ten points by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

However, two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters took place just days before: He had nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. One game later, it concluded – but he still rejoiced all the same.

My focus is to make the right play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the game gods forever rewarding me.”