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James understood his incredible streak of reaching double digits was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the basketball – so he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record came to an end.

James's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended on Thursday night, when basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He made the clutch helper, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot as time expired.

“None,” James stated in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Choice Secures Victory

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura sank it, and James raised his arms triumphantly.

You have to play basketball correctly. Always make the smart play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. It's how I was instructed the game. I've played that way for two decades.”

“LeBron is very conscious exactly how many points he's scored during a game,” said the team's head coach the coach. “He did it as he has done throughout his career.”

The Record's End Game

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result and the streak up for grabs. He had a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He scored at 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left that might have gotten him into double figures.

He didn’t take one more attempt – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, however, James chose to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it correctly, they often repay you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on a Staggering Run

The record commenced back in January 2007. It was easily the greatest streak of its kind in professional basketball: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the game of basketball. He could have shot but due to the player he is and his personality as an individual, he chose the team play, passed it to Rui and secured the game.”

Reaching double digits had long been a formality well before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had attained the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

But two of those rare single-digit games after three periods had happened in the last week: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it concluded – yet he was celebrating all the same.

I only ever make the correct play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James affirmed. “You make the unselfish play, the basketball gods are always giving back to me.”