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LeBron James was aware his monumental run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.

The right decision involved passing the ball – so he did. Following that play, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight total points in the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“None,” James replied when asked about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Play Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – while also extending his record – on the final possession, yet he opted to pass to Rui on the wing. Rui connected, prompting James celebrated with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball correctly. You always make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been how I operate. That is the way I was taught to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

“LeBron is very conscious of how many points he has at any point,” stated the team's head coach the coach. “He did it as he has done so many times.”

The Run's End Game

He returned to the floor one last time with 5:23 remaining, the outcome along with the historic run up for grabs. He had six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He scored at 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go which could have gotten him to ten points.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, yet LeBron decided to dish it off instead.

The basketball deities, if you approach it correctly, they will bless you,” the coach concluded.

The History of a Monumental Streak

The record began over eighteen years ago. It stood as the longest such streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but given who he is on the court and just who he is as an individual, he made the pass, found Rui and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a guarantee early in the final period. Over the course of the record, he had achieved ten points by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

Yet two such games below ten points after three periods had happened just days before: He recorded nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, followed by six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in preserve the record against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – but he still rejoiced anyway.

I only ever make the right play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James said. When you make the right play, the sports deities forever rewarding me.”