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LeBron James was aware his historic run of scoring in double figures was threatened. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.

The right decision meant distributing the rock – so he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record finished.

James's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the clutch helper, finding Rui Hachimura for a triple as time expired.

“Zero,” James said after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Play Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – and preserved his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to dish the ball to Hachimura in the left corner. Rui connected, prompting James exulted immediately.

You have to play the game correctly. Make the right play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my philosophy. That is the way I was instructed to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

“LeBron is very conscious exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted just as he has so many times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

He returned to the contest one last time at 5:23 remaining, the win along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. His tally was only six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He scored at 1:46 left to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go which could have pushed him into double figures.

He didn’t take one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, but James opted to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it correctly, they will reward you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Monumental Record

James's streak commenced over eighteen years ago. It stood as the greatest such streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but because of his nature as a player and his personality off the court, he chose the team play, found Rui and secured the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been a guarantee well before the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had attained double figures entering the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

However, two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters had happened recently: He had nine points going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – and he celebrated anyway.

I only ever make the best play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James said. When you make the unselfish play, the game gods forever returning the favor.”