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The Lakers star knew his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was threatened. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision was to pass the basketball – and he executed. Following that play, the unprecedented record was over.

James's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight total points during the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer to win the game.

“Nothing,” James stated after being questioned on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Choice Delivers the Game

He might have tried to secure the contest – while also extending the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, and James exulted immediately.

“Just playing the game the proper way. Always make the right play,” James noted. “That’s just been how I operate. That is the way I was taught the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

“LeBron is very conscious of his point total he has at all times,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done countless times.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

He returned to the game for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result and the streak up for grabs. At that stage, he had only six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a 14-footer with one minute to go which could have taken him to ten points.

He passed up one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate gave James the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron chose to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it correctly, they tend to repay you,” the coach concluded.

The History of a Monumental Streak

James's streak commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the longest such streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

He is such an unselfish player,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the sport. He had the opportunity but given the player he is and his personality as an individual, he executed the unselfish play, found Rui and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually a guarantee long before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times before this game.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters had occurred just days before: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it was over – but he still rejoiced anyway.

My focus is to make the best play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James said. If you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods are always rewarding me.”