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

The right decision was to pass the basketball – and he executed. Following that play, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped during a recent game, as basketball's greatest scorer had only eight total points in the Lakers' close win against Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a triple to win the game.

“None,” James stated when asked about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Selfless Choice Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the contest – and extended the streak – with the last shot, but he chose to dish the ball to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James celebrated immediately.

You have to play basketball the right way. Always make the smart play,” James explained. That is my philosophy. That is the way I was instructed the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

James is acutely aware exactly how many points he has at all times,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He made the play like he’s done countless times.”

The Record's Final Moments

He returned to the contest one last time at 5:23 remaining, the result and the streak up for grabs. At that stage, he had six points on a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a shot with one minute to go that might have pushed him to ten points.

He passed up a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, however, James opted to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you do it the right way, they often reward you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Monumental Streak

James's streak started over eighteen years ago. It was easily the most extended double-digit streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

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

He focuses on playing hoops. The chance was there but given his nature as a player and just who he is as an individual, he made the pass, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been an afterthought well before the final period. During James’s streak, he had reached double figures by the start of the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

Yet two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods had occurred in the last week: He had nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it concluded – but he still rejoiced anyway.

My focus is to make the best play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James declared. If you make the right play, the basketball gods are always rewarding me.”