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James understood his monumental streak of reaching double digits was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision meant distributing the rock – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record came to an end.

LeBron's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten ended during a recent game, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only a mere eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot to win the game.

“Nothing,” James stated in response on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Selfless Choice Secures the Game

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – and preserved his record – with the last shot, instead, he decided to dish the ball to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, prompting James exulted with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Always make the correct play,” James remarked. That is how I operate. That is the way I was instructed the game. I've played that way for two decades.”

James is very conscious of his point total he has at all times,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He acted just as he has so many times.”

The Record's Final Moments

He returned to the game for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the win and the streak up for grabs. He had a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to knot the score but then missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go which could have gotten him into double figures.

He passed up another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, yet LeBron opted to dish it off instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the proper way, they tend to reward you,” the coach concluded.

The History of a Staggering Streak

The record started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the most extended double-digit streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but given the player he is and his personality as a person, he made the pass, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a guarantee long before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had attained the 10-point mark entering the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

But two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods had occurred just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – but he still rejoiced all the same.

I only ever make the correct play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James declared. When you make the right play, the game gods consistently rewarding me.”