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LeBron James was aware his monumental run of reaching double digits was at risk. When it mattered most, however, it was not his focus.

The right decision meant distributing the ball – so he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run was over.

James's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended on Thursday night, when basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He made the clutch helper, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a triple to win the game.

“Zero,” James said after being questioned on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Play Seals Victory

James could have tried to secure the game – and extended his record – on the final possession, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James raised his arms immediately.

“Just playing the game correctly. Make the right play,” James remarked. That is how I operate. That is the way I was taught to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

He is acutely aware of his point total he's scored at any point,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done countless times.”

The Run's End Game

James re-entered the contest one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result along with the historic run up for grabs. He had six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to level the contest and missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left which could have pushed him to ten points.

He avoided taking another shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate passed him the ball as time wound down, however, James chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, when you play it correctly, they often bless you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on a Monumental Run

The record began over eighteen years ago. It stood as the most extended streak of its kind the league has ever seen: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list at 575.

He is such a team-oriented player,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing hoops. He could have shot but because of his nature as a player and just who he is as a person, he chose the unselfish play, found Rui and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been an afterthought long before the final period. Throughout his run, he had attained the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

However, two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had happened just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

He succeeded in extend the streak in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – but he still rejoiced all the same.

My focus is to make the right play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James declared. If you make the right play, the sports deities consistently returning the favor.”