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James understood his historic streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. When it mattered most, however, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play involved passing the basketball – so he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record came to an end.

James's astounding run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded this past Thursday, as basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight total points in the Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura for a triple at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James stated when asked about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Decision Delivers the Game

He might have tried to secure the game – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Rui connected, prompting James raised his arms immediately.

It's about playing the game the right way. You always make the smart play,” James noted. That is how I operate. That’s how I was taught to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

“LeBron is very conscious of how many points he's scored at any point,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done so many times.”

The Streak's End Game

He returned to the contest for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and his personal record on the line. At that stage, he had six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He scored with 1:46 left to tie the game but then missed a shot with one minute to go which could have pushed him to ten points.

He passed up a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, yet LeBron decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, when you play it the right way, they often bless you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Monumental Run

This incredible run began over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the most extended such streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run with 575.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays hoops. He could have shot but due to his nature as a player and his character as a person, he executed the team play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a guarantee long before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had achieved the 10-point mark entering the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters had happened in the last week: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – yet he was celebrating anyway.

My focus is to make the right play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James said. “You make the smart play, the sports deities consistently returning the favor.”