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LeBron James was aware his incredible streak of putting up 10+ points was threatened. When it mattered most, however, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play was to pass the ball – so he did. Consequently, the legendary streak finished.

James's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten was snapped this past Thursday, when the league's career points king finished with eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He made the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot as time expired.

“None,” James replied when asked on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Decision Seals the Game

James could have attempted to win the contest – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, but he chose to dish the ball to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James celebrated triumphantly.

You have to play the game the proper way. Make the right play,” James noted. That is how I operate. That is the way I was instructed the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

He is very conscious exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He acted like he’s done countless times.”

The Record's Final Moments

He returned to the floor for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result and the streak on the line. He had six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that might have gotten him to ten points.

He passed up a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, however, James chose to make the extra pass instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the proper way, they will bless you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Staggering Record

The record began over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest double-digit streak in professional basketball: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run with 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the sport. He could have shot but because of his nature as a player and his personality as an individual, he executed the pass, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had attained the 10-point mark entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

But two such single-digit games through three quarters had happened just days before: He recorded nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in extend the streak against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – and he celebrated anyway.

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James affirmed. When you make the smart play, the game gods forever giving back to me.”