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James understood his historic streak of reaching double digits was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.

The right decision meant distributing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances concluded on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer had only eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, finding teammate Rui Hachimura for a triple as time expired.

“None,” James stated after being questioned on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Selfless Choice Secures Victory

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the game – and preserved his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to make the extra pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Rui connected, and James raised his arms immediately.

It's about playing basketball the proper way. You always make the correct play,” James remarked. That is how I operate. That is the way I was instructed to play. I’ve done that my whole career.”

“LeBron is very conscious of his point total he has during a game,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted like he’s done so many times.”

The Streak's Final Moments

James re-entered the floor for the final time with just over five minutes left, the result along with the historic run up for grabs. He had six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He scored with 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a shot at one minute to go which could have taken him to ten points.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, yet LeBron opted to make the pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the right way, they tend to bless you,” Redick added.

The History of a Staggering Streak

The record began back in January 2007. It was, by far the longest double-digit streak in NBA history: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

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

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but given who he is on the court and just who he is off the court, he chose the team play, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a guarantee well before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had achieved ten points by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

Yet two such single-digit games after three periods had happened recently: He recorded nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, and then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in extend the streak against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – but he still rejoiced regardless.

“I always just make the right play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James affirmed. If you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods are always returning the favor.”