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LeBron James was aware his incredible run of reaching double digits was in danger. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move meant distributing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, his remarkable run finished.

LeBron's staggering run of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded during a recent game, as basketball's greatest scorer had only eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He made the game-winning assist, finding Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James said in response on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Play Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to pass to Rui on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James exulted triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball the proper way. Always make the correct play,” James noted. That has always been how I operate. That is the way I was taught to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

He is fully cognizant of his point total he has during a game,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done throughout his career.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the contest one last time with just over five minutes left, the win and his personal record on the line. At that stage, he had only six points on a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to level the contest but then missed a 14-footer with one minute to go which could have gotten him to double digits.

He passed up another shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, yet LeBron chose to make the extra pass instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the proper way, they often repay you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Streak

James's streak commenced back in January 2007. It stood as the greatest double-digit streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and Karl Malone recorded at 575.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but because of who he is on the court and just who he is off the court, he made the pass, found Rui and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points was usually an afterthought long before the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had reached ten points by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

However, two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods had happened recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, and then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. One game later, it was over – yet he was celebrating anyway.

“I always just make the correct play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James declared. If you make the unselfish play, the game gods are always returning the favor.”