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James understood his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

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

LeBron's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points was snapped during a recent game, as basketball's greatest scorer had only eight points in the Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, feeding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer to win the game.

“Zero,” James said after being questioned about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Choice Secures Victory

James could have attempted to win the game – and extended his record – on the final possession, but he chose to make the extra pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Rui connected, and James exulted triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the proper way. Make the correct play,” James remarked. That is how I operate. That is the way I learned the game. I’ve done that for two decades.”

He is acutely aware of his point total he's scored at all times,” said Lakers coach the coach. “He did it just as he has countless times.”

The Record's End Game

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the outcome and the streak both hanging in the balance. He had six points on 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to knot the score but then missed a shot at 1:01 left that might have taken him to double digits.

He didn’t take another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, when you play it correctly, they will repay you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Staggering Streak

James's streak commenced back in January 2007. It stood as the longest double-digit streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and The Mailman recorded with 575.

He is such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the sport. The chance was there but due to his nature as a player and his character as a person, he made the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually a guarantee long before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had reached double figures entering the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

Yet two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods had happened just days before: 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 earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it concluded – yet he was celebrating regardless.

I only ever make the right play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. “You make the unselfish play, the basketball gods consistently rewarding me.”