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James understood his historic streak of reaching double digits was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision meant distributing the basketball – and he executed. Following that play, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's staggering run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded during a recent game, as basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He made the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James said when asked on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Team-First Decision Secures the Win

He might have attempted to win the game – while also extending the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to pass to his teammate on the wing. Rui connected, and James celebrated triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Always make the smart play,” James noted. “That’s just been my philosophy. It's how I learned the game. I’ve done that for two decades.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” commented the team's head coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done so many times.”

The Run's End Game

James re-entered the game for the final time with just over five minutes left, the outcome along with the historic run up for grabs. He had six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to level the contest and missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left which could have taken him into double figures.

He didn’t take one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, but James chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you do it correctly, they will repay you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Staggering Record

This incredible run began back in January 2007. It was, by far the greatest such streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run with 575.

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

He simply plays the sport. He had the opportunity but given who he is on the court and just who he is as a person, he chose the team play, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a formality early in the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had reached double figures entering the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

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

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – and he celebrated regardless.

My focus is to make the best play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James said. “You make the right play, the basketball gods are always giving back to me.”