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The Lakers star knew his historic run of reaching double digits was in danger. At the decisive instant, however, it didn't concern him.

The right decision meant distributing the rock – so he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended during a recent game, as basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight total points during the Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, finding teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer to win the game.

“None,” James stated after being questioned on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Play Delivers the Game

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the game – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to pass to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James exulted triumphantly.

It's about playing the game the proper way. Always make the smart play,” James remarked. “That’s just been how I operate. It's how I was taught the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he's scored during a game,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done countless times.”

The Record's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the game one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the result and the streak on the line. At that stage, he had six points on 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to knot the score but then missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left that might have gotten him to ten points.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball as time wound down, however, James opted to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the proper way, they often bless you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on a Monumental Run

James's streak commenced over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest such streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the sport. The chance was there but because of his nature as a player and just who he is as a person, he executed the team play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually a formality well before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had reached double figures by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

Yet two such games below ten points after three periods had occurred recently: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – but he still rejoiced regardless.

I only ever make the correct play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. When you make the unselfish play, the game gods consistently rewarding me.”