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The Lakers star knew his historic streak of putting up 10+ points was in danger. When it mattered most, though, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play involved passing the rock – and he executed. Consequently, his remarkable run finished.

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances concluded this past Thursday, as the league's career points king finished with eight total points in the Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura for a triple as time expired.

“None,” James said when asked on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Play Secures Victory

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to dish the ball to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron celebrated triumphantly.

“Just playing basketball the proper way. Make the correct play,” James explained. That is my M.O.. That’s how I was taught to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

James is acutely aware of how many points he's scored at all times,” stated the team's head coach the coach. He made the play as he has done countless times.”

The Run's Final Moments

James re-entered the game one last time with just over five minutes left, the result and his personal record on the line. At that stage, he had six points on a 3-for-15 performance then.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to knot the score and missed a shot with one minute to go that would have taken him to ten points.

He avoided taking another shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron opted to make the pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it correctly, they tend to repay you,” Redick added.

The History of a Monumental Run

This incredible run commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the longest double-digit streak in professional basketball: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and Karl Malone recorded of 575 games.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but given who he is on the court and his character as an individual, he chose the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been a guarantee long before the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had achieved ten points by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

However, two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods took place recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

My focus is to make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James declared. “You make the unselfish play, the sports deities are always rewarding me.”