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The Lakers star knew his incredible streak of putting up 10+ points was in danger. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

The smart move meant distributing the ball – so he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record came to an end.

LeBron's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded on Thursday night, as the league's career points king had only eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a triple at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James replied when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Team-First Decision Secures the Win

James could have sought to clinch the game – while also extending the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James raised his arms triumphantly.

You have to play the game the right way. Make the right play,” James noted. That is how I operate. It's how I was instructed the game. I’ve done that my whole career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored during a game,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He acted just as he has countless times.”

The Run's End Game

James re-entered the floor for the final time at just over five minutes left, the outcome along with the historic run up for grabs. At that stage, he had six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go that would have pushed him to ten points.

He didn’t take another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball as time wound down, but James chose to dish it off instead.

“The basketball gods, if you do it correctly, they will bless you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Run

James's streak began back in January 2007. It stood as the most extended double-digit streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but given who he is on the court and his character as an individual, he executed the team play, found Rui and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points had long been a formality well before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had reached ten points by the start of the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

However, two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters had happened recently: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. One game later, it finished – but he still rejoiced regardless.

“I always just make the correct play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. If you make the right play, the sports deities consistently rewarding me.”