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The Lakers star knew his incredible streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. When it mattered most, however, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision meant distributing the basketball – so he did. Following that play, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten concluded on Thursday night, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight total points in the Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He provided the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James said when asked about the streak ending. “We won.”

An Unselfish Play Seals the Win

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the game – and extended the streak – with the last shot, but he chose to pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James celebrated triumphantly.

“Just playing the game the right way. You always make the smart play,” James explained. “That’s just been my M.O.. It's how I was taught the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

James is fully cognizant of how many points he has at any point,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has countless times.”

The Record's Final Moments

James re-entered the floor one last time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome along with the historic run up for grabs. He had a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

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

He passed up one more attempt – but could have. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, however, James decided to make the pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you do it the proper way, they often bless you,” the coach concluded.

The History of an Unparalleled Record

James's streak started back in January 2007. It was, by far the greatest double-digit streak in NBA history: MJ had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but given who he is on the court and just who he is as a person, he executed the pass, found Rui and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a formality early in the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had attained ten points by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

But two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters had happened recently: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it concluded – but he still rejoiced anyway.

I only ever make the correct play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James affirmed. If you make the smart play, the game gods are always rewarding me.”