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The Lakers star knew his historic run of putting up 10+ points was threatened. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play involved passing the rock – so he did. Consequently, his remarkable run finished.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances concluded on Thursday night, when basketball's greatest scorer finished with a mere eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close win against Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, finding Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer to win the game.

“Zero,” James said in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Team-First Play Delivers Victory

He might have tried to secure the game – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to dish the ball to his teammate on the wing. Rui connected, prompting James celebrated with his hands in the air.

You have to play the game the proper way. Always make the correct play,” James explained. That is my M.O.. That is the way I was instructed the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

He is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has at any point,” commented the team's head coach the coach. “He did it just as he has throughout his career.”

The Streak's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the win along with the historic run up for grabs. At that stage, he had six points on 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to knot the score but then missed a shot at 1:01 left which could have gotten him into double figures.

He passed up one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate gave James the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron decided to dish it off instead.

The spirits of the game, when you play it correctly, they tend to bless you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Monumental Run

This incredible run commenced back in January 2007. It was, by far the longest double-digit streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list of 575 games.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the game of basketball. The chance was there but given his nature as a player and his character as a person, he made the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a formality early in the final period. Over the course of the record, he had attained ten points by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

However, two such games below ten points through three quarters took place in the last week: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, followed by six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

He succeeded in preserve the record against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – but he still rejoiced all the same.

My focus is to make the right play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. When you make the right play, the basketball gods consistently returning the favor.”