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The Lakers star knew his monumental streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move involved passing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the legendary streak was over.

LeBron's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended during a recent game, when the league's career points king had only a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close win against Toronto. He provided the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot as time expired.

“Nothing,” James replied when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

An Unselfish Choice Secures the Game

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to dish the ball to his teammate in the left corner. Rui connected, with LeBron raised his arms with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game the proper way. Make the correct play,” James explained. That is my M.O.. That is the way I learned to play. I’ve done that my whole career.”

James is very conscious of how many points he has during a game,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done so many times.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the contest one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the win along with the historic run on the line. He had a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to tie the game and missed a shot at one minute to go which could have pushed him to double digits.

He passed up another shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, however, James decided to dish it off instead.

The spirits of the game, when you play it correctly, they will bless you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Staggering Streak

The record started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the longest such streak the league has ever seen: MJ previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone recorded at 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the sport. The chance was there but due to who he is on the court and his personality off the court, he executed the team play, found Rui and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points was usually a guarantee long before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

Yet two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters 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 against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in extend the streak in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – yet he was celebrating regardless.

I only ever make the best play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. “You make the unselfish play, the sports deities forever returning the favor.”