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James understood his monumental run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, it was not his focus.

The smart move meant distributing the basketball – and he executed. Following that play, his remarkable run finished.

James's astounding run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances ended on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to a mere eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He made the decisive pass, feeding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James replied in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Choice Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – and extended the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James celebrated with his hands in the air.

You have to play basketball the right way. You always make the smart play,” James noted. That has always been my philosophy. It's how I was taught to play. That's what I've done for two decades.”

James is fully cognizant of how many points he has at all times,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted just as he has countless times.”

The Streak's End Game

He returned to the floor one last time at 5:23 remaining, the result and the streak on the line. He had only six points from 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that might have pushed him into double figures.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron chose to dish it off instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it correctly, they will bless you,” the coach concluded.

The History of a Staggering Streak

James's streak began back in January 2007. It was easily the most extended double-digit streak in professional basketball: MJ previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

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

He simply plays the game of basketball. He could have shot but because of the player he is and just who he is as an individual, he executed the pass, passed it to Rui and we won the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a formality long before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had attained ten points by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

However, two of those rare single-digit games after three periods had occurred recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

My focus is to make the right play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James said. If you make the smart play, the game gods forever rewarding me.”