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The Lakers star knew his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision meant distributing the basketball – so he did. Consequently, his remarkable run was over.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded during a recent game, as basketball's greatest scorer finished with a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James replied when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Play Seals Victory

He might have attempted to win the game – and extended his record – with the last shot, yet he opted to pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James raised his arms immediately.

It's about playing basketball the proper way. You always make the right play,” James explained. That has always been my M.O.. That is the way I was instructed the game. I’ve done that for two decades.”

“LeBron is very conscious exactly how many points he has during a game,” commented the team's head coach the coach. “He did it just as he has countless times.”

The Record's Final Moments

James re-entered the contest for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the win along with the historic run on the line. He had only six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He scored at 1:46 left to tie the game then missed a shot at 1:01 left that might have pushed him to ten points.

He avoided taking one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves gave James the ball with a few seconds left, however, James chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you approach it the proper way, they often repay you,” the coach concluded.

The History of a Staggering Streak

The record commenced back in January 2007. It was, by far the longest streak of its kind in NBA history: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

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

He simply plays the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but given the player he is and his personality as an individual, he executed the team play, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points had long been a formality early in the final period. Over the course of the record, he had reached double figures by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

However, two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had occurred recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. The very next outing, it concluded – yet he was celebrating anyway.

“I always just make the best play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James said. If you make the right play, the game gods forever rewarding me.”