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LeBron James was aware his historic streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play was to pass the ball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight total points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the clutch helper, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot as time expired.

“Zero,” James replied in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Choice Delivers the Win

He might have tried to secure the contest – and extended the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to make the extra pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, and James exulted immediately.

You have to play basketball correctly. You always make the correct play,” James noted. “That’s just been how I operate. That’s how I learned the game. I've played that way for two decades.”

He is fully cognizant of how many points he has during a game,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has so many times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the contest one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome along with the historic run on the line. His tally was six points on 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to level the contest and missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that would have pushed him to double digits.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron opted to dish it off instead.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the proper way, they tend to reward you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Monumental Record

The record commenced back in January 2007. It was easily the most extended streak of its kind in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded at 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the sport. The chance was there but because of his nature as a player and his character as a person, he chose the pass, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a guarantee well before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had achieved ten points entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

However, two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods took place just days before: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – but he still rejoiced regardless.

I only ever make the best play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James affirmed. If you make the right play, the sports deities consistently giving back to me.”