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

The right decision was to pass the rock – and he executed. Following that play, the legendary streak was over.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances concluded this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight total points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He provided the decisive pass, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“None,” James said after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

An Unselfish Decision Delivers Victory

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – while also extending the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to pass to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James raised his arms immediately.

You have to play the game the right way. You always make the right play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my M.O.. That is the way I learned the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

James is acutely aware of his point total he has at all times,” stated the team's head coach the coach. He acted like he’s done countless times.”

The Run's Final Moments

He returned to the contest one last time with just over five minutes left, the outcome along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. He had only six points from 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He scored at 1:46 left to knot the score but then missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go which could have pushed him to ten points.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves passed him the ball as time wound down, however, James opted to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, when you play it correctly, they often repay you,” the coach concluded.

The History of a Staggering Streak

James's streak started back in January 2007. It was, by far the greatest such streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

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

He simply plays the sport. He could have shot but given the player he is and just who he is off the court, he made the team play, dished to Hachimura and we won the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been a formality long before the final period. During James’s streak, he had achieved ten points by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

But two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had occurred recently: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – yet he was celebrating all the same.

I only ever make the right play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods are always returning the favor.”