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James understood his historic run of scoring in double figures was threatened. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play was to pass the ball – so he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record came to an end.

James's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten was snapped during a recent game, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to a mere eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer to win the game.

“Nothing,” James said in response on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Selfless Decision Delivers the Game

James could have sought to clinch the contest – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, and James exulted with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game correctly. You always make the right play,” James explained. “That’s just been my M.O.. It's how I was taught to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

James is very conscious of how many points he's scored at any point,” said the team's head coach the coach. He acted just as he has so many times.”

The Run's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result along with the historic run on the line. At that stage, he had six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.

He scored at 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a 14-footer with one minute to go that would have pushed him into double figures.

He avoided taking another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, however, James chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the proper way, they often reward you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Staggering Run

James's streak commenced over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest streak of its kind in professional basketball: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run with 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays hoops. He had the opportunity but given the player he is and just who he is as an individual, he chose the pass, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually a formality early in the final period. During James’s streak, he had attained the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

Yet two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters took place in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, and then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – but he still rejoiced all the same.

“I always just make the correct play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods consistently rewarding me.”