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The Lakers star knew his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play involved passing the basketball – so he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded during a recent game, as basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the clutch helper, finding Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James replied after being questioned on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Play Delivers the Win

He might have sought to clinch the game – and extended his record – on the final possession, but he chose to dish the ball to his teammate stationed in the corner. Rui connected, and James celebrated triumphantly.

You have to play the game the proper way. You always make the smart play,” James remarked. That has always been how I operate. That’s how I learned to play. I’ve done that my whole career.”

He is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has at any point,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the floor for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the win and his personal record both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to tie the game then missed a shot at one minute to go that might have pushed him into double figures.

He didn’t take another shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves passed him the ball with a few seconds left, however, James decided to dish it off instead.

The basketball deities, when you play it the proper way, they will bless you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Monumental Streak

This incredible run commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the longest double-digit streak in NBA history: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded with 575.

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

He simply plays the sport. The chance was there but given the player he is and just who he is off the court, he made the pass, found Rui and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points was usually an afterthought long before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had reached double figures by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

However, two such games below ten points through three quarters had occurred in the last week: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it was over – and he celebrated anyway.

My focus is to make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James said. When you make the unselfish play, the game gods forever returning the favor.”