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The Lakers star knew his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move involved passing the rock – so he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run finished.

LeBron's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances ended during a recent game, as basketball's greatest scorer had only eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He made the clutch helper, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple as time expired.

“None,” James said when asked about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Decision Secures Victory

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – and preserved the streak – with the last shot, but he chose to pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron celebrated triumphantly.

“Just playing the game correctly. Make the right play,” James explained. That is how I operate. That is the way I learned the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant of his point total he's scored at all times,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done so many times.”

The Record's Final Moments

He returned to the floor one last time with 5:23 remaining, the result and the streak up for grabs. He had a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He scored with 1:46 left to tie the game then missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left which could have taken him to ten points.

He avoided taking one more attempt – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, but James decided to make the pass instead.

The basketball deities, if you approach it the proper way, they will repay you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Streak

James's streak commenced over eighteen years ago. It was easily the greatest 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.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the sport. He had the opportunity but due to his nature as a player and just who he is as an individual, he chose the unselfish play, found Rui and secured the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a formality long before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had achieved the 10-point mark entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

But two of those rare single-digit games after three periods had happened 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.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – yet he was celebrating all the same.

I only ever make the right play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James said. When you make the right play, the basketball gods forever giving back to me.”