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James understood his historic run of reaching double digits was at risk. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

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

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances was snapped on Thursday night, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a triple to win the game.

“Nothing,” James replied after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Choice Secures Victory

James could have attempted to win the game – while also extending the streak – with the last shot, but he chose to pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron celebrated immediately.

It's about playing the game the right way. Make the correct play,” James explained. That is how I operate. It's how I was taught to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

James is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored at any point,” commented Lakers coach the coach. He acted as he has done so many times.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the game one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the result along with the historic run up for grabs. His tally was a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go that might have taken him to ten points.

He avoided taking one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him as time wound down, however, James opted to make the pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, when you play it correctly, they tend to bless you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Run

The record started back in January 2007. It was, by far the longest such streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

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

He simply plays the sport. He could have shot but because of his nature as a player and just who he is as an individual, he executed the unselfish play, found Rui and secured the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a formality well before the final period. During James’s streak, he had achieved the 10-point mark entering the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

But two such single-digit games after three periods took place just days before: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. One game later, it concluded – but he still rejoiced anyway.

I only ever make the correct play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James said. “You make the right play, the game gods forever giving back to me.”