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LeBron James was aware his monumental streak of reaching double digits was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points concluded on Thursday night, as the league's career points king had only eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James replied in response about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Play Secures Victory

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, but he chose to pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James raised his arms with his hands in the air.

You have to play the game correctly. Always make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been my philosophy. That is the way I was instructed to play. I’ve done that my whole career.”

“LeBron is very conscious exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Record's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome and his personal record both hanging in the balance. His tally was a mere six points on 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left that would have taken him to ten points.

He didn’t take another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron opted to make the pass instead of shooting.

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

Reflecting on a Monumental Run

James's streak commenced back in January 2007. It was easily the longest double-digit streak in professional basketball: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded with 575.

He is such a team-oriented player,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. The chance was there but given the player he is and just who he is as a person, he chose the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

However, two such games below ten points through three quarters had occurred recently: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter 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 against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – and he celebrated regardless.

“I always just make the correct play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. If you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods are always giving back to me.”