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The Lakers star knew his monumental run of putting up 10+ points was at risk. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision meant distributing the basketball – and he executed. Consequently, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's staggering run of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended on Thursday night, when basketball's greatest scorer finished with a mere eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer as time expired.

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

A Team-First Play Seals the Game

James could have sought to clinch the contest – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to make the extra pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron raised his arms triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Make the right play,” James remarked. That is my philosophy. That’s how I learned the game. That's what I've done for two decades.”

He is very conscious of his point total he has at all times,” stated Lakers coach the coach. He acted as he has done so many times.”

The Run's Final Moments

He returned to the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the win and his personal record both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a shot at 1:01 left which could have pushed him to ten points.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, but James decided to make the pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, when you play it correctly, they often repay you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on a Staggering Record

James's streak began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the most extended double-digit streak the league has ever seen: MJ had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

He is such an unselfish player,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the game of basketball. The chance was there but given who he is on the court and his personality as an individual, he made the team play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually a guarantee well before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had achieved ten points by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times before this game.

However, two of those rare single-digit games after three periods had happened recently: He recorded nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, and then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it was over – but he still rejoiced regardless.

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