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The Lakers star knew his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was at risk. In that crucial moment, however, it didn't concern him.

The right decision was to pass the ball – and he executed. With that selfless act, his remarkable run finished.

James's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points was snapped during a recent game, as basketball's greatest scorer had only eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer as time expired.

“Zero,” James stated when asked about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Play Seals the Game

James could have sought to clinch the contest – and extended his record – with the last shot, but he chose to make the extra pass to Rui on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James celebrated immediately.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Make the correct play,” James noted. That has always been how I operate. That is the way I was taught the game. I've played that way for two decades.”

He is very conscious of his point total he has during a game,” commented Lakers coach the coach. “He did it just as he has countless times.”

The Run's Final Moments

James re-entered the floor for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the win and his personal record both hanging in the balance. He had six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to knot the score but then missed a shot at 1:01 left which could have taken him to double digits.

He passed up one more attempt – even though he had a chance. A teammate passed him the ball as time wound down, but James chose to make the extra pass instead.

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

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Run

James's streak began over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the greatest such streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list at 575.

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

“He’s just playing hoops. He had the opportunity but given the player he is and just who he is as a person, he chose the pass, found Rui and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits had long been a formality long before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had attained ten points by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

Yet two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had happened recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

“I always just make the right play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. When you make the smart play, the sports deities forever rewarding me.”