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The Lakers star knew his monumental run of scoring in double figures was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move was to pass the rock – and he executed. With that selfless act, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's staggering run of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances concluded during a recent game, when basketball's greatest scorer finished with a mere eight points during the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, feeding Rui Hachimura for a triple at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James stated in response about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Selfless Decision Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – and extended his record – on the final possession, yet he opted to dish the ball to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James celebrated with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball the right way. Always make the right play,” James remarked. That is my M.O.. That’s how I learned to play. I’ve done that my whole career.”

He is acutely aware of how many points he's scored at all times,” stated Lakers coach the coach. “He did it just as he has throughout his career.”

The Run's Final Moments

James re-entered the contest for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the result along with the historic run on the line. He had a mere six points on a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to tie the game then missed a 14-footer with one minute to go which could have taken him to ten points.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, but James decided to make the pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it correctly, they tend to reward you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Run

The record commenced over eighteen years ago. It stood as the greatest streak of its kind in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

He is such an unselfish player,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the sport. The chance was there but because of his nature as a player and his character as a person, he executed the unselfish play, found Rui and claimed the game.”

Reaching double digits had long been an afterthought long before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had attained ten points entering the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

However, two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had occurred recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – yet he was celebrating anyway.

I only ever make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. “You make the smart play, the basketball gods consistently giving back to me.”