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The Lakers star knew his monumental run of scoring in double figures was at risk. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play was to pass the basketball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's astounding run of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped on Thursday night, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with a mere eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, finding Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer to win the game.

“Nothing,” James stated in response about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Team-First Decision Delivers Victory

He might have tried to secure the game – and preserved his record – on the final possession, instead, he decided to pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Rui connected, and James raised his arms triumphantly.

You have to play the game the proper way. You always make the correct play,” James explained. That is my philosophy. It's how I learned to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

James is acutely aware of his point total he's scored during a game,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Run's Final Moments

He returned to the game for the final time at just over five minutes left, the outcome and the streak both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had six points from 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to knot the score and missed a shot with one minute to go that might have pushed him to ten points.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball as time wound down, but James decided to make the pass instead.

The basketball deities, when you play it correctly, they tend to reward you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Monumental Run

James's streak commenced over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest such streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone recorded at 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the game of basketball. He could have shot but due to who he is on the court and just who he is as an individual, he made the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually an afterthought long before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had attained double figures by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times before this game.

Yet two such games below ten points after three periods took place in the last week: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it was over – and he celebrated anyway.

My focus is to make the best play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James declared. If you make the smart play, the sports deities consistently giving back to me.”