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The Lakers star knew his monumental run of reaching double digits was in danger. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the basketball – and he executed. Following that play, the unprecedented record was over.

James's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances was snapped this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He made the game-winning assist, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple as time expired.

“Nothing,” James replied in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Play Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the contest – while also extending his record – on the final possession, but he chose to dish the ball to Hachimura in the left corner. Rui connected, prompting James exulted immediately.

You have to play basketball the right way. Always make the smart play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I was instructed the game. I’ve done that for two decades.”

James is very conscious of how many points he has at any point,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He acted as he has done countless times.”

The Streak's End Game

He returned to the game for the final time at just over five minutes left, the result and the streak on the line. He had a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to tie the game then missed a shot with one minute to go that would have pushed him to double digits.

He passed up one more attempt – even though he had a chance. A teammate gave James the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the proper way, they will repay you,” Redick added.

The History of a Staggering Streak

James's streak began over eighteen years ago. It was easily the greatest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and Karl Malone recorded of 575 games.

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

He simply plays the sport. He could have shot but given who he is on the court and his personality as an individual, he chose the team play, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points had long been a guarantee long before the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, 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 rare games below ten points through three quarters had occurred recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it concluded – yet he was celebrating all the same.

“I always just make the right play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James declared. If you make the right play, the sports deities are always giving back to me.”