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LeBron James was aware his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

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

James's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten concluded during a recent game, when the league's career points king had only eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple at the buzzer.

“None,” James stated when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Play Secures the Game

James could have attempted to win the contest – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, and James raised his arms with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Always make the smart play,” James explained. “That’s just been how I operate. That is the way I was instructed the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

He is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Record's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and his personal record on the line. His tally was a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that might have gotten him to ten points.

He passed up one more attempt – but could have. A teammate found him with a few seconds left, but James decided to dish it off instead.

The basketball deities, when you play it correctly, they will reward you,” the coach concluded.

The History of a Staggering Streak

James's streak commenced back in January 2007. It was easily the longest streak of its kind in professional basketball: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but because of his nature as a player and his character as an individual, he made the pass, found Rui and claimed the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a guarantee well before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had attained double figures by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

However, two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters had happened just days before: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, followed by six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it was over – and he celebrated anyway.

I only ever make the best play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James declared. If you make the smart play, the game gods are always rewarding me.”