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LeBron James was aware his monumental run of reaching double digits was in danger. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

The smart move involved passing the rock – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the legendary streak finished.

James's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points concluded on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer had only a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer as time expired.

“None,” James said when asked about the streak ending. “We won.”

An Unselfish Decision Secures Victory

He might have sought to clinch the game – and preserved his record – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, and James celebrated with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game the right way. Make the correct play,” James explained. That is my philosophy. That is the way I was instructed to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored during a game,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has throughout his career.”

The Run's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome along with the historic run on the line. At that stage, he had only six points from 3 for 15 from the field then.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to tie the game then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go that would have pushed him into double figures.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, but James chose to make the extra pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it correctly, they tend to bless you,” Redick stated.

The History of an Unparalleled Streak

This incredible run began over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the most extended streak of its kind the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run with 575.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing hoops. He had the opportunity but due to his nature as a player and his character as an individual, he executed the pass, passed it to Rui and we won the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a guarantee early in the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had achieved ten points entering the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

But two such games below ten points after three periods took place in the last week: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it concluded – yet he was celebrating anyway.

I only ever make the best play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the sports deities consistently returning the favor.”