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

The correct basketball play meant distributing the basketball – so he did. Consequently, his remarkable run finished.

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer had only eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple as time expired.

“Zero,” James replied when asked on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Decision Secures Victory

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the contest – and extended the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Rui on the wing. Rui connected, prompting James raised his arms with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball the right way. You always make the smart play,” James noted. That is my philosophy. That is the way I learned the game. I've played that way my whole career.”

“LeBron is very conscious of his point total he's scored during a game,” said the team's head coach the coach. He made the play like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the game for the final time with just over five minutes left, the result and his personal record both hanging in the balance. He had six points on a 3-for-15 performance then.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to knot the score but then missed a shot at one minute to go which could have taken him to double digits.

He avoided taking one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him with a few seconds left, yet LeBron opted to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, when you play it correctly, they will reward you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on a Monumental Run

This incredible run started back in January 2007. It stood as the greatest double-digit streak in professional basketball: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list of 575 games.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays hoops. He could have shot but given his nature as a player and his personality as a person, he executed the team play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a formality well before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had reached double figures by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

However, two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had occurred in the last week: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, followed by six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – and he celebrated regardless.

“I always just make the correct play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James said. “You make the smart play, the basketball gods are always giving back to me.”