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LeBron James was aware his historic run of scoring in double figures was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play involved passing the ball – so he did. Consequently, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended this past Thursday, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight total points in the Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the clutch helper, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James stated after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Team-First Choice Seals the Win

He might have attempted to win the contest – and preserved his record – on the final possession, yet he opted to dish the ball to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James celebrated immediately.

“Just playing basketball the right way. Make the correct play,” James noted. That is how I operate. It's how I learned to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

He is very conscious of how many points he has during a game,” said Lakers coach the coach. He made the play just as he has countless times.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the contest for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the win and the streak up for grabs. He had only six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left which could have gotten him to ten points.

He didn’t take one more attempt – but could have. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, however, James opted to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

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

The History of a Staggering Record

The record began back in January 2007. It was easily the most extended such streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” remarked Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. The chance was there but because of his nature as a player and his character off the court, he chose the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually a guarantee long before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had achieved the 10-point mark entering the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

However, two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods took place recently: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it finished – yet he was celebrating all the same.

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