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The Lakers star knew his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was threatened. When it mattered most, however, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision involved passing the rock – so he did. Following that play, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's astounding run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James replied after being questioned about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Play Secures the Win

He might have sought to clinch the game – and preserved his record – on the final possession, but he chose to make the extra pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron raised his arms with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Always make the correct play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my philosophy. That’s how I learned to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware exactly how many points he has at any point,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has throughout his career.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

He returned to the contest one last time at just over five minutes left, the result along with the historic run up for grabs. He had only six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left that might have pushed him into double figures.

He avoided taking one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball with a few seconds left, however, James chose to make the extra pass instead.

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

A Look Back at a Staggering Run

The record commenced over eighteen years ago. It was easily the greatest double-digit streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded with 575.

He is such a team-oriented player,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the sport. The chance was there but due to his nature as a player and just who he is as a person, he chose the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a formality early in the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had achieved double figures by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

But two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods had happened recently: He recorded nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

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

“I always just make the correct play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James said. If you make the unselfish play, the game gods are always giving back to me.”