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James understood his monumental streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move meant distributing the ball – so he did. Consequently, the legendary streak was over.

LeBron's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten ended during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with a mere eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He made the clutch helper, feeding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer to win the game.

“Nothing,” James said after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Choice Delivers the Win

He might have tried to secure the contest – and extended his record – on the final possession, but he chose to make the extra pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, and James exulted triumphantly.

It's about playing the game correctly. You always make the smart play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. It's how I learned the game. I've played that way my whole career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant exactly how many points he's scored at all times,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted like he’s done so many times.”

The Streak's Final Moments

James re-entered the contest for the final time at just over five minutes left, the outcome and his personal record up for grabs. His tally was a mere six points on a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a 14-footer with one minute to go that would have gotten him into double figures.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate found him with a few seconds left, but James chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, when you play it the proper way, they often reward you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Staggering Record

The record began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the longest streak of its kind in NBA history: MJ previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the sport. He had the opportunity but because of who he is on the court and his personality off the court, he made the pass, passed it to Rui and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been an afterthought well before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had attained ten points entering the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

But two of those rare single-digit games after three periods had occurred just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. One game later, it concluded – but he still rejoiced regardless.

My focus is to make the best play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James declared. If you make the right play, the basketball gods are always giving back to me.”