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The Lakers star knew his incredible streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision meant distributing the rock – and he executed. Following that play, his remarkable run was over.

LeBron's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances concluded on Thursday night, as the league's career points king was limited to a mere eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He provided the clutch helper, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot at the buzzer.

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

A Team-First Decision Delivers Victory

He might have sought to clinch the game – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to dish the ball to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James raised his arms with his hands in the air.

You have to play the game the right way. You always make the correct play,” James remarked. That is how I operate. That is the way I was taught the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

James is acutely aware exactly how many points he has at all times,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has throughout his career.”

The Run's End Game

James re-entered the floor for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the win along with the historic run up for grabs. His tally was only six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go that would have gotten him to double digits.

He passed up a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, but James decided to dish it off instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the right way, they often repay you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Monumental Run

James's streak began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the most extended streak of its kind in NBA history: MJ had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the sport. He had the opportunity but given his nature as a player and his character off the court, he executed the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the game.”

Scoring in double figures was usually an afterthought well before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had reached the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

But two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had happened recently: He recorded nine points going into the fourth against Dallas last week, and then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – but he still rejoiced regardless.

My focus is to make the best play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the smart play, the basketball gods forever returning the favor.”