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James understood his monumental streak of scoring in double figures was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play was to pass the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record finished.

LeBron's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points concluded this past Thursday, when the league's career points king was limited to eight total points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot at the buzzer.

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

A Team-First Play Seals the Game

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the game – while also extending the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to make the extra pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron celebrated triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the proper way. You always make the smart play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my philosophy. That is the way I was instructed to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

James is very conscious exactly how many points he has at any point,” commented Lakers coach the coach. “He did it as he has done so many times.”

The Record's End Game

He returned to the contest one last time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome and his personal record both hanging in the balance. His tally was only six points from 3 for 15 from the field then.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go which could have pushed him into double figures.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate gave James the ball as time wound down, but James opted to make the extra pass instead.

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

A Look Back at a Monumental Run

James's streak began back in January 2007. It stood as the greatest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the sport. He had the opportunity but because of the player he is and just who he is off the court, he chose the pass, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had reached the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

Yet two such games below ten points through three quarters had occurred in the last week: He recorded nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. One game later, it finished – but he still rejoiced regardless.

I only ever make the right play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. “You make the unselfish play, the sports deities are always giving back to me.”