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LeBron James was aware his monumental run of reaching double digits was threatened. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play involved passing the rock – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points concluded this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer had only eight points in the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot to win the game.

“None,” James said in response on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Choice Seals the Game

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – and extended the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to make the extra pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James raised his arms triumphantly.

You have to play the game correctly. Always make the smart play,” James noted. That is my M.O.. That is the way I learned the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

He is fully cognizant of his point total he's scored at any point,” stated the team's head coach the coach. “He did it as he has done throughout his career.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

He returned to the game for the final time at just over five minutes left, the outcome along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. He had six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to knot the score but then missed a shot with 1:01 left which could have pushed him to ten points.

He passed up a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves gave James the ball with a few seconds left, however, James chose to make the extra pass instead.

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

Reflecting on a Staggering Streak

The record started back in January 2007. It was easily the most extended streak of its kind in professional basketball: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

He is such a team-oriented player,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing hoops. The chance was there but given the player he is and his character off the court, he executed the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been a formality well before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had reached double figures by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

Yet two of those rare single-digit games after three periods had happened just days before: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – and he celebrated anyway.

My focus is to make the correct play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James said. If you make the right play, the sports deities consistently giving back to me.”