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LeBron James was aware his historic run of putting up 10+ points was threatened. When it mattered most, though, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play was to pass the rock – and he executed. Following that play, the legendary streak finished.

James's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points concluded during a recent game, as the league's career points king finished with a mere eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, finding Rui Hachimura for a triple as time expired.

“Zero,” James stated in response on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Team-First Choice Delivers Victory

He might have attempted to win the game – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to make the extra pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James celebrated with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game the right way. You always make the right play,” James noted. That is my M.O.. That is the way I learned the game. I've played that way for two decades.”

He is very conscious exactly how many points he has at all times,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has throughout his career.”

The Run's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and his personal record on the line. He had a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to level the contest and missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left which could have taken him into double figures.

He didn’t take one more attempt – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves passed him the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron opted to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, when you play it the right way, they often repay you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Run

James's streak commenced back in January 2007. It stood as the greatest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

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

He simply plays the sport. He had the opportunity but due to the player he is and his personality off the court, he chose the pass, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had achieved double figures by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had happened recently: He had nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

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

I only ever make the right play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James declared. When you make the right play, the game gods forever giving back to me.”