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LeBron James was aware his monumental streak of reaching double digits was in danger. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

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

James's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped during a recent game, as the league's career points king finished with eight points during the Lakers' close win against Toronto. He provided the clutch helper, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura for a triple at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James stated after being questioned on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Play Seals the Game

He might have attempted to win the contest – and extended the streak – with the last shot, but he chose to make the extra pass to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron exulted immediately.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Make the smart play,” James explained. That has always been how I operate. That is the way I learned the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

James is acutely aware of his point total he has during a game,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has countless times.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the win and the streak both hanging in the balance. His tally was only six points from 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to level the contest and missed a 14-footer with one minute to go that would have gotten him into double figures.

He didn’t take one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron opted to dish it off instead.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the right way, they will reward you,” the coach concluded.

The History of a Staggering Run

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

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing hoops. The chance was there but due to who he is on the court and just who he is off the court, he executed the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a formality early in the final period. Over the course of the record, he had reached ten points entering the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

However, two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods had happened just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. One game later, it finished – and he celebrated regardless.

“I always just make the best play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. If you make the smart play, the basketball gods are always giving back to me.”