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James understood his historic run of putting up 10+ points was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the ball – and he executed. Following that play, the unprecedented record finished.

James's astounding run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances was snapped during a recent game, as basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He delivered the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

“Nothing,” James said when asked about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Play Delivers the Win

James could have sought to clinch the game – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to make the extra pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Rui connected, and James celebrated triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball the right way. Make the correct play,” James remarked. 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 how many points he's scored during a game,” stated Lakers coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done countless times.”

The Run's End Game

James re-entered the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the win and his personal record on the line. He had six points from a 3-for-15 performance then.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest and missed a shot at 1:01 left that might have pushed him to double digits.

He didn’t take one more attempt – but could have. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron opted to make the extra pass instead.

The basketball deities, if you approach it the proper way, they tend to bless you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Staggering Record

The record began back in January 2007. It was easily the longest streak of its kind in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run with 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but because of the player he is and just who he is as a person, he chose the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Reaching double digits was usually a guarantee early in the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had achieved ten points by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times before this game.

However, two such games below ten points through three quarters had occurred in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

He succeeded in preserve the record against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – and he celebrated all the same.

I only ever make the best play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James said. When you make the smart play, the game gods are always returning the favor.”