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The Lakers star knew his historic streak of scoring in double figures was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision was to pass the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's astounding run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten concluded on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight points during the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

“Zero,” James replied when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

An Unselfish Choice Secures Victory

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – and preserved his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to pass to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James celebrated triumphantly.

You have to play basketball correctly. Make the right play,” James explained. “That’s just been my philosophy. It's how I was instructed to play. That's what I've done for two decades.”

He is acutely aware of his point total he has during a game,” said the team's head coach the coach. He acted just as he has countless times.”

The Record's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the win along with the historic run on the line. His tally was only six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to level the contest but then missed a shot at one minute to go that would have taken him to ten points.

He passed up another shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate passed him the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron chose to dish it off instead.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the right way, they tend to reward you,” the coach concluded.

The History of an Unparalleled Run

James's streak started over eighteen years ago. It was easily the greatest such streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but because of the player he is and his character off the court, he chose the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Getting to ten points was usually a guarantee long before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

However, two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters took place just days before: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

I only ever make the best play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. When you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods forever returning the favor.”