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James understood his monumental streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the basketball – so he did. Consequently, his remarkable run was over.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten was snapped this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight total points during the Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James stated when asked about the streak ending. “We won.”

An Unselfish Choice Seals the Win

James could have tried to secure the contest – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, but he chose to pass to his teammate on the wing. Rui connected, with LeBron exulted immediately.

“Just playing the game correctly. Make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been how I operate. It's how I was instructed the game. I’ve done that my whole career.”

He is acutely aware of how many points he's scored during a game,” commented Lakers coach the coach. He acted just as he has so many times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the outcome along with the historic run up for grabs. He had a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He scored at 1:46 left to tie the game then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go that might have pushed him to ten points.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, but James decided to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the proper way, they often bless you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Staggering Run

James's streak commenced back in January 2007. It was, by far the longest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but due to the player he is and just who he is off the court, he made the pass, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a guarantee long before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had achieved double figures by the start of the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

Yet two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters had happened recently: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it concluded – but he still rejoiced anyway.

I only ever make the correct play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods are always returning the favor.”