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The Lakers star knew his monumental run of reaching double digits was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play was to pass the rock – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points concluded on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer had only eight points during the Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He made the clutch helper, finding Rui Hachimura for a triple as time expired.

“Nothing,” James replied after being questioned about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Choice Seals the Win

He might have sought to clinch the game – and extended the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron raised his arms triumphantly.

You have to play the game the right way. Always make the right play,” James explained. That is my philosophy. That is the way I was instructed the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

He is very conscious of his point total he has at any point,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has countless times.”

The Record's Final Moments

James re-entered the floor for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the result and his personal record on the line. He had a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go that would have pushed him to double digits.

He didn’t take one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron decided to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the right way, they tend to reward you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Streak

This incredible run commenced back in January 2007. It was easily the greatest streak of its kind in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone recorded at 575.

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

He focuses on playing the sport. The chance was there but given the player he is and his personality as an individual, he chose the unselfish play, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Getting to ten points had long been an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had attained ten points by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times before this game.

Yet two such single-digit games after three periods took place just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – and he celebrated anyway.

My focus is to make the best play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James declared. When you make the right play, the sports deities forever returning the favor.”