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James understood his incredible streak of reaching double digits was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play was to pass the basketball – so he did. Consequently, his remarkable run finished.

James's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points ended during a recent game, when the league's career points king was limited to eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close win against Toronto. He provided the clutch helper, feeding Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot to win the game.

“Zero,” James replied in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Choice Seals the Win

James could have tried to secure the contest – and extended his record – on the final possession, but he chose to pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, and James raised his arms triumphantly.

It's about playing the game correctly. You always make the right play,” James explained. That has always been my philosophy. That is the way I learned to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

James is very conscious of how many points he has during a game,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has throughout his career.”

The Streak's Final Moments

He returned to the contest one last time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome and his personal record both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had six points on 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to tie the game then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left which could have pushed him to ten points.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, but James chose to make the extra pass instead.

The basketball deities, when you play it correctly, they tend to reward you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Streak

James's streak began back in January 2007. It was, by far the most extended such streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but due to his nature as a player and his character as an individual, he made the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Getting to ten points was usually a guarantee 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 before this game.

But two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters had occurred recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it concluded – and he celebrated anyway.

I only ever make the best play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James said. When you make the smart play, the sports deities forever giving back to me.”