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The Lakers star knew his historic streak of putting up 10+ points was threatened. When it mattered most, however, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record finished.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances ended during a recent game, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only a mere eight points during the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, finding teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot to win the game.

“Zero,” James replied after being questioned on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Decision Secures Victory

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the contest – and preserved the streak – with the last shot, yet he opted to pass to Rui on the wing. Rui connected, with LeBron raised his arms triumphantly.

You have to play basketball correctly. Always make the right play,” James noted. That has always been how I operate. That is the way I was taught to play. That's what I've done for two decades.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of his point total he's scored at all times,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted as he has done countless times.”

The Streak's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the contest one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the result along with the historic run up for grabs. He had a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to level the contest but then missed a shot at 1:01 left that might have taken him to double digits.

He avoided taking another shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves passed him the ball as time wound down, but James decided to make the extra pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the right way, they will bless you,” Redick added.

The History of a Monumental Record

The record began back in January 2007. It stood as the longest such streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. He could have shot but because of who he is on the court and just who he is as an individual, he made the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a formality well before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had attained the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times before this game.

Yet two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods took place just days before: He recorded nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – yet he was celebrating all the same.

“I always just make the right play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James said. When you make the unselfish play, the game gods forever returning the favor.”