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LeBron James was aware his historic run of scoring in double figures was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the basketball – and he executed. Following that play, the unprecedented record finished.

LeBron's staggering run of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances concluded this past Thursday, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, finding Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer as time expired.

“Nothing,” James replied in response on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Decision Secures the Win

He might have attempted to win the contest – and preserved his record – on the final possession, instead, he decided to pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron raised his arms immediately.

It's about playing the game the proper way. Always make the correct play,” James noted. That has always been my philosophy. That is the way I learned the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

“LeBron is very conscious of how many points he has at all times,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has so many times.”

The Streak's End Game

James re-entered the contest for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the result and the streak on the line. At that stage, he had a mere six points on a 3-for-15 performance then.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left that would have taken him to double digits.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, however, James opted to make the pass instead.

The basketball deities, if you do it correctly, they often reward you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at a Staggering Run

James's streak began back in January 2007. It was, by far the most extended double-digit streak in NBA history: MJ had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone recorded of 575 games.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing hoops. He had the opportunity but given his nature as a player and his character off the court, he chose the team play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the game.”

Reaching double digits was usually an afterthought well before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had reached double figures by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

Yet two such single-digit games through three quarters had occurred just days before: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it concluded – and he celebrated regardless.

I only ever make the correct play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. When you make the smart play, the game gods consistently giving back to me.”