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The Lakers star knew his historic run of reaching double digits was threatened. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the legendary streak finished.

James's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances ended this past Thursday, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight total points during the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot as time expired.

“Zero,” James replied after being questioned on the record concluding. “We won.”

An Unselfish Decision Delivers the Game

He might have tried to secure the contest – and extended his record – on the final possession, yet he opted to dish the ball to his teammate on the wing. Rui connected, prompting James celebrated triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball the proper way. Always make the right play,” James noted. “That’s just been how I operate. That’s how I was instructed the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

James is acutely aware of how many points he has at all times,” said Lakers coach the coach. He made the play like he’s done so many times.”

The Run's End Game

James re-entered the floor for the final time with just over five minutes left, the result and the streak up for grabs. His tally was six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a shot at one minute to go which could have taken him to ten points.

He passed up one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him as time wound down, but James chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

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

The History of an Unparalleled Record

The record commenced back in January 2007. It was, by far the most extended such streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing hoops. He had the opportunity but given the player he is and his personality as a person, he executed the team play, passed it to Rui and secured the game.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a guarantee early in the final period. During James’s streak, he had attained double figures by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times before this game.

But two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had happened in the last week: He had nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

He succeeded in preserve the record against the Suns. One game later, it was over – and he celebrated regardless.

My focus is to make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James declared. If you make the right play, the game gods consistently rewarding me.”