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The Lakers star knew his incredible streak of reaching double digits was at risk. When it mattered most, however, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the basketball – and he executed. Consequently, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's astounding run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended during a recent game, when basketball's greatest scorer had only a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple as time expired.

“Zero,” James said when asked on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Play Delivers Victory

He might have sought to clinch the contest – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to dish the ball to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, and James raised his arms immediately.

“Just playing basketball correctly. You always make the smart play,” James noted. That has always been my M.O.. It's how I learned the game. I’ve done that my whole career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of how many points he's scored during a game,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done countless times.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

He returned to the contest one last time with 5:23 remaining, the outcome along with the historic run up for grabs. At that stage, he had six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He scored with 1:46 left to level the contest but then missed a shot with 1:01 left that might have pushed him to ten points.

He didn’t take another shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, however, James opted to make the extra pass instead.

The spirits of the game, when you play it correctly, they often repay you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Staggering Run

James's streak started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the longest such streak in NBA history: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the sport. He had the opportunity but because of who he is on the court and his character off the court, he executed the team play, found Rui and we won the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought long before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had reached the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

But two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had happened in the last week: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it concluded – but he still rejoiced anyway.

“I always just make the right play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James declared. If you make the smart play, the basketball gods forever returning the favor.”