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James understood his monumental streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, it was not his focus.

The right decision involved passing the basketball – so he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded on Thursday night, when the league's career points king finished with eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, finding Rui Hachimura to hit a triple as time expired.

“Zero,” James said when asked about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Choice Secures Victory

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – and preserved his record – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to dish the ball to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Rui connected, prompting James raised his arms immediately.

“Just playing the game the proper way. You always make the smart play,” James noted. That has always been how I operate. That’s how I was instructed to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

He is acutely aware of how many points he's scored at all times,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted as he has done throughout his career.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the contest for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome and his personal record on the line. At that stage, he had six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to tie the game but then missed a 14-footer with one minute to go which could have gotten him into double figures.

He avoided taking another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, yet LeBron decided to make the extra pass instead.

“The basketball gods, if you do it correctly, they tend to repay you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Run

This incredible run commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the longest double-digit streak in professional basketball: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

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

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but because of the player he is and his character as an individual, he executed the pass, dished to Hachimura and we won the game.”

Reaching double digits had long been a guarantee long before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had achieved ten points by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had occurred recently: He recorded nine points going into the fourth against Dallas last week, and then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – yet he was celebrating anyway.

I only ever make the right play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James said. “You make the right play, the basketball gods consistently rewarding me.”