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James understood his incredible streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

The smart move was to pass the rock – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, his remarkable run was over.

LeBron's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points concluded this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James stated in response about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Play Seals Victory

He might have sought to clinch the game – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to make the extra pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Rui connected, and James celebrated immediately.

You have to play the game the proper way. Make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been how I operate. That’s how I was taught to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant of his point total he's scored at all times,” said Lakers coach the coach. “He did it just as he has so many times.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the contest one last time at just over five minutes left, the result along with the historic run on the line. His tally was a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to level the contest and missed a 14-footer with one minute to go that might have gotten him to double digits.

He passed up a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, however, James chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the right way, they will bless you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on a Staggering Run

James's streak started back in January 2007. It stood as the most extended such streak in NBA history: MJ had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. He could have shot but due to his nature as a player and just who he is as an individual, he executed the team play, found Rui and claimed the game.”

Reaching double digits had long been an afterthought well before the final period. During James’s streak, he had attained double figures entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

Yet two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters had happened in the last week: He had nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it concluded – and he celebrated anyway.

My focus is to make the right play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James said. “You make the right play, the game gods consistently returning the favor.”