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James understood his historic streak of putting up 10+ points was threatened. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the rock – and he executed. Consequently, his remarkable run finished.

James's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten concluded during a recent game, as the league's career points king finished with eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close win against Toronto. He made the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura for a triple to win the game.

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

A Team-First Play Seals the Win

He might have tried to secure the game – and extended his record – with the last shot, but he chose to make the extra pass to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, and James celebrated immediately.

It's about playing basketball the right way. You always make the right play,” James remarked. That is my philosophy. It's how I learned to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant of his point total he has at any point,” stated Lakers coach the coach. He made the play just as he has throughout his career.”

The Record's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the win and his personal record both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to tie the game and missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left which could have gotten him into double figures.

He didn’t take another shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, yet LeBron decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you do it correctly, they will repay you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Staggering Streak

The record started back in January 2007. It was, by far the longest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the sport. He could have shot but given who he is on the court and his character as an individual, he chose the pass, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points had long been a guarantee well before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had attained ten points entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

But two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had happened recently: He had nine points going into the fourth against Dallas last week, then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it concluded – and he celebrated regardless.

My focus is to make the best play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James said. “You make the unselfish play, the sports deities forever returning the favor.”