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James understood his historic streak of reaching double digits was at risk. In that crucial moment, however, it was not his focus.

The right decision meant distributing the ball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record was over.

James's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points ended during a recent game, when basketball's greatest scorer had only eight total points during the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer at the buzzer.

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

An Unselfish Decision Secures the Game

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to dish the ball to his teammate stationed in the corner. Rui connected, with LeBron raised his arms with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Always make the right play,” James explained. “That’s just been how I operate. That’s how I was instructed to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

James is acutely aware of his point total he has at any point,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done so many times.”

The Streak's Final Moments

James re-entered the contest for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the win along with the historic run up for grabs. At that stage, he had a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left which could have pushed him to ten points.

He passed up a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves passed him the ball in the waning seconds, but James opted to make the pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the proper way, they often repay you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at a Monumental Run

This incredible run started over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest such streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

He is such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the sport. He could have shot but given who he is on the court and his personality as a person, he made the pass, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually an afterthought long before the final period. During James’s streak, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times before this game.

However, two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters took place in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it concluded – yet he was celebrating all the same.

I only ever make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James declared. “You make the right play, the sports deities forever rewarding me.”