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LeBron James was aware his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was at risk. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move was to pass the rock – and he executed. Following that play, the legendary streak was over.

James's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended on Thursday night, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only a mere eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer to win the game.

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

A Selfless Play Seals the Game

James could have sought to clinch the contest – and extended the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, and James exulted triumphantly.

It's about playing the game correctly. Make the right play,” James explained. That has always been my philosophy. It's how I was instructed the game. I’ve done that for two decades.”

He is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” said the team's head coach the coach. He made the play just as he has throughout his career.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

He returned to the contest for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome along with the historic run on the line. At that stage, he had six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to level the contest and missed a shot at 1:01 left that might have gotten him into double figures.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, however, James opted to make the pass instead.

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

A Look Back at a Monumental Streak

The record began over eighteen years ago. It was easily the greatest such streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but because of his nature as a player and just who he is as an individual, he chose the unselfish play, found Rui and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a formality early in the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had achieved the 10-point mark entering the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

However, two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had happened in the last week: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, and then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – but he still rejoiced all the same.

I only ever make the right play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the smart play, the game gods forever giving back to me.”