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James understood his historic streak of putting up 10+ points was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move was to pass the basketball – and he executed. Consequently, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's staggering run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded on Thursday night, as the league's career points king finished with eight total points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the clutch helper, finding teammate Rui Hachimura for a triple to win the game.

“None,” James stated when asked on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Team-First Choice Secures the Game

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – and extended his record – with the last shot, yet he opted to dish the ball to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron celebrated with his hands in the air.

You have to play basketball the right way. Make the smart play,” James explained. That has always been my philosophy. It's how I learned the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

James is acutely aware of how many points he has at any point,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has throughout his career.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the win along with the historic run up for grabs. At that stage, he had only six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to tie the game but then missed a shot at one minute to go that would have gotten him to ten points.

He didn’t take one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, however, James opted to make the extra pass instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the right way, they often bless you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on a Monumental Streak

James's streak commenced over eighteen years ago. It stood as the greatest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: MJ had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run with 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the sport. He could have shot but given the player he is and his personality as a person, he executed the pass, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a formality early in the final period. Throughout his run, he had reached the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

However, two such games below ten points after three periods had happened just days before: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it was over – but he still rejoiced anyway.

“I always just make the correct play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James affirmed. If you make the right play, the sports deities consistently rewarding me.”