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James understood his historic streak of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the basketball – and he executed. Following that play, the unprecedented record came to an end.

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended on Thursday night, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He made the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot as time expired.

“Nothing,” James said after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Decision Secures the Win

James could have sought to clinch the contest – while also extending his record – on the final possession, instead, he decided to pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, and James raised his arms with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball the proper way. Make the correct play,” James noted. That has always been my M.O.. It's how I learned to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of his point total he's scored at all times,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done so many times.”

The Record's End Game

He returned to the game for the final time with just over five minutes left, the result and the streak on the line. His tally was six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a 14-footer with one minute to go which could have taken him to ten points.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron opted to make the pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, when you play it the right way, they will bless you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Monumental Streak

The record began over eighteen years ago. It stood as the greatest such streak in NBA history: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the sport. The chance was there but given the player he is and his personality off the court, he made the team play, found Rui and claimed the game.”

Reaching double digits was usually a guarantee early in the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had attained double figures entering the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

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

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it was over – yet he was celebrating all the same.

“I always just make the correct play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James declared. If you make the unselfish play, the sports deities forever giving back to me.”