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James understood his historic streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move was to pass the ball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record came to an end.

LeBron's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances concluded on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight total points in the Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer as time expired.

“Nothing,” James said when asked on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Selfless Decision Secures the Game

He might have sought to clinch the contest – and preserved his record – on the final possession, yet he opted to pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Rui connected, and James celebrated with his hands in the air.

“Just playing basketball the right way. You always make the smart play,” James remarked. That is my philosophy. It's how I was instructed the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of his point total he's scored at any point,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done so many times.”

The Run's End Game

James re-entered the game for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the result and his personal record both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a shot at one minute to go which could have pushed him to ten points.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball in the waning seconds, however, James opted to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the right way, they tend to bless you,” Redick added.

The History of an Unparalleled Streak

The record began over eighteen years ago. It stood as the longest double-digit streak in NBA history: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

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

He simply plays hoops. He had the opportunity but due to who he is on the court and just who he is off the court, he executed the pass, found Rui and we won the game.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a guarantee early in the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had reached double figures entering the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

But two of those rare single-digit games after three periods took place recently: He had nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – yet he was celebrating regardless.

I only ever make the best play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James said. When you make the unselfish play, the game gods consistently rewarding me.”