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The Lakers star knew his historic streak of reaching double digits was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move involved passing the ball – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the legendary streak finished.

James's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, when the league's career points king finished with a mere eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He provided the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer to win the game.

“None,” James said in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Team-First Play Seals the Win

He might have tried to secure the game – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to make the extra pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura sank it, and James celebrated immediately.

You have to play basketball correctly. Always make the right play,” James explained. That is my philosophy. That’s how I was taught the game. I’ve done that for two decades.”

“LeBron is very conscious exactly how many points he's scored during a game,” stated Lakers coach the coach. He made the play like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Run's Final Moments

James re-entered the floor for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome along with the historic run on the line. His tally was six points from 3 for 15 from the field then.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to knot the score then missed a shot at one minute to go that would have taken him to ten points.

He avoided taking one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, however, James decided to dish it off instead of shooting.

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

Reflecting on a Staggering Run

This incredible run started over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest double-digit streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

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

He simply plays hoops. He had the opportunity but because of the player he is and his character as a person, he made the pass, dished to Hachimura and we won the game.”

Reaching double digits was usually an afterthought well before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had achieved double figures by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times before this game.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points after three periods took place just days before: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – but he still rejoiced regardless.

“I always just make the right play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James said. “You make the right play, the sports deities are always returning the favor.”