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LeBron James was aware his historic streak of reaching double digits was at risk. When it mattered most, however, it was not his focus.

The smart move involved passing the ball – and he executed. Following that play, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped during a recent game, when the league's career points king was limited to eight total points during the Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He made the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a triple at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James said in response on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Play Seals the Win

James could have sought to clinch the game – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James exulted immediately.

You have to play basketball the proper way. You always make the correct play,” James explained. That is how I operate. It's how I learned to play. That's what I've done for two decades.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of his point total he's scored during a game,” said Lakers coach the coach. He made the play like he’s done so many times.”

The Record's Final Moments

He returned to the game one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the win along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. His tally was only six points from a 3-for-15 performance then.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to tie the game but then missed a shot at 1:01 left which could have taken him to double digits.

He passed up a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, yet LeBron chose to make the extra pass instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it correctly, they tend to repay you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Staggering Run

James's streak began over eighteen years ago. It stood as the greatest such streak in NBA history: MJ had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but due to his nature as a player and his character off the court, he chose the team play, passed it to Rui and we won the game.”

Scoring in double figures was usually an afterthought early in the final period. Throughout his run, he had achieved ten points entering the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

However, two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters took place just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – but he still rejoiced anyway.

My focus is to make the best play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. If you make the smart play, the basketball gods forever giving back to me.”