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LeBron James was aware his monumental streak of reaching double digits was threatened. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record finished.

LeBron's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten was snapped this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He made the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

“None,” James stated when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Decision Secures the Game

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the game – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James exulted with his hands in the air.

You have to play basketball the right way. Make the smart play,” James remarked. “That’s just been how I operate. It's how I was instructed to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

He is very conscious exactly how many points he has at all times,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

He returned to the floor for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome along with the historic run up for grabs. He had only six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He scored with 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left which could have gotten him to double digits.

He didn’t take one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, but James opted to make the pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the right way, they tend to bless you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Staggering Run

This incredible run started on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the longest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays hoops. He could have shot but because of the player he is and his character off the court, he executed the pass, dished to Hachimura and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been a formality well before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had attained double figures entering the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

But two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had occurred just days before: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it was over – but he still rejoiced all the same.

“I always just make the correct play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James said. When you make the right play, the sports deities consistently giving back to me.”