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James understood his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play involved passing the ball – and he executed. Following that play, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points concluded during a recent game, when the league's career points king was limited to eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He made the game-winning assist, finding Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer as time expired.

“Zero,” James stated when asked on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Selfless Decision Seals Victory

James could have sought to clinch the contest – and extended the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to dish the ball to Rui in the left corner. Rui connected, prompting James raised his arms triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the proper way. Make the correct play,” James noted. That is my M.O.. That is the way I learned to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of how many points he has during a game,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done throughout his career.”

The Run's End Game

He returned to the contest for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the outcome and his personal record on the line. At that stage, he had a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left that might have taken him to double digits.

He avoided taking another shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate passed him the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

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

Reflecting on a Monumental Run

The record started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the greatest such streak the league has ever seen: MJ had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list at 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but given his nature as a player and his character as an individual, he executed the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points had long been a formality long before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had attained double figures by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

But two such single-digit games after three periods had happened in the last week: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, followed by six points going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – but he still rejoiced anyway.

I only ever make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. If you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods consistently rewarding me.”