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The Lakers star knew his monumental run of scoring in double figures was threatened. When it mattered most, however, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play was to pass the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the legendary streak was over.

LeBron's staggering run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances ended on Thursday night, when basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight points in the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple as time expired.

“Nothing,” James stated in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

An Unselfish Choice Delivers the Win

He might have attempted to win the contest – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to dish the ball to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, and James exulted triumphantly.

You have to play basketball correctly. You always make the smart play,” James remarked. That is my M.O.. That is the way I was instructed the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

He is fully cognizant of his point total he has at all times,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done throughout his career.”

The Run's Final Moments

He returned to the game one last time with just over five minutes left, the outcome along with the historic run on the line. At that stage, he had six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to knot the score but then missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go which could have taken him to double digits.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron chose to make the pass instead.

The basketball deities, when you play it the right way, they often reward you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Staggering Run

The record began over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the most extended such streak the league has ever seen: MJ had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

He is such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing hoops. The chance was there but because of who he is on the court and his personality as an individual, he made the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought long before the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had achieved double figures entering the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

Yet two such games below ten points after three periods had happened in the last week: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – but he still rejoiced all the same.

I only ever make the correct play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. When you make the right play, the game gods are always giving back to me.”