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James understood his incredible run of reaching double digits was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the rock – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run finished.

LeBron's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten was snapped on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight total points in the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

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

An Unselfish Decision Delivers Victory

James could have sought to clinch the contest – while also extending his record – with the last shot, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, and James celebrated triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball the right way. You always make the smart play,” James noted. That is my philosophy. It's how I was taught to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

He is very conscious exactly how many points he has at all times,” stated Lakers coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done so many times.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time at just over five minutes left, the outcome and his personal record on the line. At that stage, he had only six points on 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to tie the game and missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that would have pushed him into double figures.

He avoided taking one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball in the waning seconds, but James decided to dish it off instead.

The basketball deities, if you approach it correctly, they will bless you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Run

The record began over eighteen years ago. It was easily the greatest such streak in professional basketball: MJ had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

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

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but given who he is on the court and his personality off the court, he made the team play, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been an afterthought long before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had reached double figures by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

But two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had happened in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to preserve the record against the Suns. The very next outing, it was over – but he still rejoiced regardless.

I only ever make the correct play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James said. If you make the smart play, the game gods are always returning the favor.”