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LeBron James was aware his historic run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play involved passing the ball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He provided the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer to win the game.

“Nothing,” James stated after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Team-First Play Seals the Game

James could have sought to clinch the contest – and extended the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James exulted triumphantly.

It's about playing the game the right way. You always make the correct play,” James noted. “That’s just been my philosophy. It's how I was instructed the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant of how many points he has at any point,” stated the team's head coach the coach. He acted as he has done throughout his career.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the game one last time with 5:23 remaining, the outcome and the streak both hanging in the balance. He had a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to knot the score and missed a shot at one minute to go which could have gotten him to double digits.

He avoided taking another shot – but could have. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, but James opted to dish it off instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the right way, they often bless you,” the coach concluded.

The History of a Monumental Record

This incredible run commenced over eighteen years ago. It stood as the greatest such streak in NBA history: MJ had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run with 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the sport. The chance was there but due to the player he is and just who he is off the court, he made the pass, passed it to Rui and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits had long been an afterthought well before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had achieved ten points by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods took place just days before: He recorded nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it was over – and he celebrated anyway.

My focus is to make the best play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James said. “You make the right play, the sports deities are always giving back to me.”