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James understood his incredible run of scoring in double figures was threatened. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision meant distributing the ball – and he executed. Consequently, the unprecedented record finished.

James's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points was snapped this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He provided the decisive pass, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“None,” James replied when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Play Seals Victory

James could have tried to secure the game – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, but he chose to dish the ball to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Rui connected, with LeBron exulted immediately.

“Just playing the game the proper way. Always make the smart play,” James remarked. That has always been my philosophy. It's how I was instructed the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

He is very conscious of how many points he's scored at all times,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done throughout his career.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the win along with the historic run up for grabs. His tally was a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to knot the score but then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left that might have gotten him to double digits.

He didn’t take another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball as time wound down, but James decided to make the extra pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the proper way, they tend to bless you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Run

The record started over eighteen years ago. It stood as the most extended such streak the league has ever seen: MJ had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone recorded of 575 games.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. He could have shot but given the player he is and his character off the court, he made the pass, found Rui and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a formality early in the final period. Over the course of the record, he had attained ten points by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

However, two such games below ten points through three quarters took place just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in extend the streak in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – yet he was celebrating all the same.

“I always just make the correct play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the sports deities are always giving back to me.”