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James understood his historic run of putting up 10+ points was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, it didn't concern him.

The right decision involved passing the basketball – and he executed. Consequently, the unprecedented record was over.

James's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight total points during the Lakers' close win against Toronto. He delivered the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer to win the game.

“Zero,” James said in response about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Play Seals Victory

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to dish the ball to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James celebrated immediately.

You have to play the game the proper way. Make the right play,” James noted. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I was instructed the game. I’ve done that my whole career.”

James is very conscious of how many points he has at any point,” commented Lakers coach the coach. He acted as he has done countless times.”

The Run's End Game

James re-entered the contest one last time at 5:23 remaining, the result and the streak both hanging in the balance. He had only six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest and missed a shot at 1:01 left that might have gotten him to double digits.

He avoided taking one more attempt – even though he had a chance. A teammate passed him the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron opted to make the extra pass instead.

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

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Record

James's streak started on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the longest streak of its kind in NBA history: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but due to his nature as a player and his character as a person, he chose the unselfish play, found Rui and secured the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been a guarantee long before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had reached the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times before this game.

But two such games below ten points through three quarters took place just days before: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. The very next outing, it concluded – and he celebrated anyway.

My focus is to make the correct play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James said. When you make the unselfish play, the game gods are always rewarding me.”