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James understood his historic run of putting up 10+ points was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, it was not his focus.

The smart move meant distributing the basketball – so he did. Following that play, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances was snapped during a recent game, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the decisive pass, feeding Rui Hachimura for a triple as time expired.

“Zero,” James replied when asked about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Play Delivers the Game

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the game – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, and James exulted triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball the right way. Always make the correct play,” James explained. “That’s just been my M.O.. That’s how I was instructed to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

“LeBron is very conscious exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” stated the team's head coach the coach. He made the play just as he has so many times.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the contest for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the win and the streak up for grabs. He had a mere six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to knot the score and missed a shot at 1:01 left that would have taken him to ten points.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves passed him the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron opted to dish it off instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, when you play it the right way, they often reward you,” Redick added.

The History of an Unparalleled Run

This incredible run began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the greatest streak of its kind in NBA history: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

He is such an unselfish player,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the sport. He had the opportunity but due to the player he is and his character as an individual, he made the team play, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually a guarantee well before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had attained ten points entering the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

Yet two such single-digit games through three quarters had happened recently: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – but he still rejoiced all the same.

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James said. When you make the right play, the sports deities consistently rewarding me.”