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LeBron James was aware his historic streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. When it mattered most, however, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move meant distributing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, his remarkable run finished.

LeBron's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances was snapped during a recent game, when basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight total points during the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple as time expired.

“Nothing,” James said in response about the streak ending. “We won.”

An Unselfish Decision Secures the Game

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the contest – and preserved his record – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James celebrated triumphantly.

You have to play the game correctly. Make the correct play,” James remarked. That is how I operate. That’s how I was instructed to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

James is fully cognizant of how many points he has at any point,” stated the team's head coach the coach. He made the play like he’s done so many times.”

The Record's End Game

He returned to the contest for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the outcome along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. He had six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left that might have gotten him to ten points.

He passed up a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball in the waning seconds, but James opted to dish it off instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the right way, they will bless you,” Redick added.

The History of an Unparalleled Run

The record started on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the greatest double-digit streak in professional basketball: MJ had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays hoops. The chance was there but because of his nature as a player and his character as an individual, he executed the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been a formality early in the final period. Over the course of the record, he had reached ten points by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times before this game.

However, two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had occurred recently: He had nine points going into the fourth against Dallas last week, and then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – but he still rejoiced all the same.

I only ever make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. “You make the smart play, the game gods are always rewarding me.”