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LeBron James was aware his incredible run of reaching double digits was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the ball – so he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded during a recent game, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“None,” James stated when asked on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Play Secures Victory

James could have attempted to win the game – and extended his record – on the final possession, instead, he decided to pass to Rui on the wing. Hachimura sank it, and James exulted triumphantly.

It's about playing the game correctly. Always make the right play,” James noted. “That’s just been my philosophy. That is the way I learned the game. I've played that way for two decades.”

He is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored during a game,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He acted just as he has so many times.”

The Streak's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the game one last time with 5:23 remaining, the win along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had six points from a 3-for-15 performance then.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a 14-footer at one minute to go that would have taken him to ten points.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him with a few seconds left, but James opted to dish it off instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the right way, they tend to repay you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Monumental Streak

This incredible run started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the greatest streak of its kind in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

He is such a team-oriented player,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but given the player he is and just who he is off the court, he made the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a guarantee well before the final period. Throughout his run, he had reached ten points entering the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters took place just days before: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, and then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – but he still rejoiced all the same.

I only ever make the correct play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods consistently giving back to me.”