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James understood his incredible streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, it didn't concern him.

The smart move involved passing the rock – so he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended during a recent game, when the league's career points king was limited to eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He made the clutch helper, feeding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“None,” James replied after being questioned about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Choice Seals Victory

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the game – and extended his record – with the last shot, yet he opted to make the extra pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Rui connected, with LeBron celebrated with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game the proper way. You always make the smart play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my M.O.. That’s how I was taught the game. That's what I've done for two decades.”

James is acutely aware of how many points he has during a game,” stated Lakers coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done countless times.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the floor one last time with 5:23 remaining, the outcome and his personal record up for grabs. At that stage, he had only six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He scored with 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go that would have taken him to ten points.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, however, James decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you do it the right way, they will bless you,” the coach concluded.

The History of an Unparalleled Run

The record commenced over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the greatest such streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

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

He focuses on playing the sport. He could have shot but due to the player he is and his personality off the court, he made the team play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually a guarantee long before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had achieved the 10-point mark entering the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had happened in the last week: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, followed by six points going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it concluded – yet he was celebrating anyway.

I only ever make the best play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James said. When you make the unselfish play, the sports deities are always rewarding me.”