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James understood his incredible streak of putting up 10+ points was in danger. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

The smart move meant distributing the basketball – and he executed. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended during a recent game, as the league's career points king had only eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer as time expired.

“Nothing,” James said after being questioned on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Play Seals the Win

He might have sought to clinch the game – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron exulted with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game correctly. Always make the smart play,” James remarked. That is how I operate. That is the way I was taught the game. I've played that way for two decades.”

He is acutely aware of how many points he's scored during a game,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done so many times.”

The Streak's End Game

James re-entered the contest one last time at just over five minutes left, the result and the streak up for grabs. His tally was a mere six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.

He scored with 1:46 left to tie the game but then missed a shot with 1:01 left that would have gotten him to ten points.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate gave James the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron chose to make the extra pass instead.

The basketball deities, if you approach it the proper way, they often bless you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Staggering Run

This incredible run started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the longest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: MJ had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. He could have shot but because of who he is on the court and his personality as an individual, he made the unselfish play, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought long before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times before this game.

However, two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had occurred in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it was over – but he still rejoiced regardless.

I only ever make the correct play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James declared. If you make the unselfish play, the game gods are always giving back to me.”