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James understood his monumental streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, it didn't concern him.

The smart move meant distributing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's astounding run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to a mere eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He made the game-winning assist, finding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer to win the game.

“Zero,” James stated after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Choice Seals the Win

He might have attempted to win the game – and extended his record – on the final possession, yet he opted to pass to Rui on the wing. Hachimura sank it, prompting James celebrated triumphantly.

You have to play the game correctly. You always make the right play,” James explained. “That’s just been how I operate. It's how I was taught to play. I’ve done that my whole career.”

James is acutely aware exactly how many points he has 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 one last time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome and the streak both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that would have gotten him to double digits.

He avoided taking another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, yet LeBron decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the right way, they will repay you,” Redick added.

The History of a Staggering Streak

The record began over eighteen years ago. It stood as the longest such streak in NBA history: MJ had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.

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

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but because of who he is on the court and his character as an individual, he made the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a formality well before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

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

He succeeded in extend the streak against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

“I always just make the best play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James declared. “You make the smart play, the game gods forever rewarding me.”