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James understood his monumental streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move was to pass the rock – so he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances was snapped on Thursday night, when basketball's greatest scorer had only eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He made the game-winning assist, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer to win the game.

“Nothing,” James replied when asked on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Play Secures the Win

James could have sought to clinch the contest – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron celebrated with his hands in the air.

You have to play basketball the right way. Make the smart play,” James noted. “That’s just been my philosophy. That’s how I learned to play. I've played that way throughout my career.”

He is acutely aware exactly how many points he has at any point,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has throughout his career.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the contest for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win along with the historic run up for grabs. His tally was six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to knot the score but then missed a shot at 1:01 left that would have pushed him to ten points.

He didn’t take another shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves passed him the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, when you play it correctly, they often reward you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Record

This incredible run began back in January 2007. It was, by far the most extended streak of its kind in NBA history: Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the sport. He had the opportunity but due to who he is on the court and his character as a person, he made the team play, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been an afterthought early in the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had achieved the 10-point mark entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

But two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters took place just days before: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – and he celebrated regardless.

My focus is to make the correct play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James affirmed. “You make the smart play, the basketball gods are always rewarding me.”