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James understood his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision meant distributing the ball – and he executed. Following that play, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's staggering run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended during a recent game, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight points during the Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer as time expired.

“None,” James stated when asked about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Play Seals the Game

He might have tried to secure the contest – and extended his record – with the last shot, yet he opted to make the extra pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron celebrated triumphantly.

“Just playing basketball the proper way. Always make the correct play,” James remarked. That is how I operate. That’s how I was taught to play. I’ve done that my whole career.”

“LeBron is very conscious of his point total he's scored at any point,” said Lakers coach the coach. “He did it as he has done countless times.”

The Run's Final Moments

James re-entered the floor one last time at just over five minutes left, the outcome and his personal record up for grabs. At that stage, he had only six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left 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 avoided taking another shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, however, James decided to make the extra pass instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the right way, they tend to reward you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on a Staggering Streak

This incredible run started over eighteen years ago. It stood as the greatest such streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman recorded with 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the sport. He had the opportunity but due to who he is on the court and his character off the court, he made the team play, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a formality well before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had reached double figures entering the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

Yet two such games below ten points through three quarters took place in the last week: He recorded nine points going into the fourth against Dallas last week, followed by six points going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – yet he was celebrating anyway.

I only ever make the correct play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. “You make the right play, the sports deities consistently returning the favor.”