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LeBron James was aware his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move meant distributing the ball – and he executed. Consequently, the legendary streak was over.

LeBron's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances was snapped this past Thursday, as basketball's greatest scorer had only eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He made the game-winning assist, finding Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

“None,” James replied in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

An Unselfish Decision Seals the Win

He might have sought to clinch the game – while also extending his record – on the final possession, but he chose to pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, and James exulted with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game the proper way. You always make the correct play,” James explained. That is my M.O.. That’s how I learned the game. That's what I've done for two decades.”

James is very conscious exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” stated the team's head coach the coach. “He did it as he has done countless times.”

The Streak's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the contest one last time with just over five minutes left, the win and the streak both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go that might have taken him to double digits.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves passed him the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron chose to make the extra pass instead.

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

The History of an Unparalleled Run

This incredible run started back in January 2007. It stood as 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 The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the sport. He had the opportunity but due to the player he is and his personality as a person, he chose the pass, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a formality early in the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had reached ten points by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those rare single-digit games after three periods took place recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

LeBron was able to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. One game later, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

I only ever make the best play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James said. If you make the unselfish play, the sports deities forever rewarding me.”