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James understood his monumental run of putting up 10+ points was at risk. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move involved passing the rock – so he did. Consequently, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot as time expired.

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

An Unselfish Choice Seals Victory

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the contest – while also extending the streak – on the final possession, instead, he decided to dish the ball to his teammate on the wing. Rui connected, prompting James exulted triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Always make the correct play,” James noted. That has always been my philosophy. It's how I was instructed to play. I've played that way my whole career.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he's scored at all times,” commented the team's head coach the coach. “He did it as he has done throughout his career.”

The Run's End Game

He returned to the game for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the win along with the historic run on the line. He had only six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left that would have taken him to ten points.

He passed up another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him as time wound down, however, James chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it correctly, they often reward you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Run

The record began over eighteen years ago. It stood as the most extended such streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but because of who he is on the court and his character as an individual, he executed the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually an afterthought long before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had attained the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

Yet two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters took place just days before: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – yet he was celebrating anyway.

I only ever make the correct play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James declared. “You make the smart play, the basketball gods forever returning the favor.”