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LeBron James was aware his historic run of scoring in double figures was in danger. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move was to pass the rock – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points was snapped on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer had only eight points in the Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot as time expired.

“None,” James stated when asked about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Choice Seals the Game

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the contest – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to make the extra pass to his teammate in the left corner. Rui connected, prompting James exulted with his hands in the air.

You have to play basketball the proper way. Always make the correct play,” James explained. “That’s just been my M.O.. That’s how I was instructed the game. That's what I've done for two decades.”

“LeBron is very conscious exactly how many points he has during a game,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted just as he has so many times.”

The Run's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game one last time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome along with the historic run up for grabs. At that stage, he had a mere six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to knot the score but then missed a shot with 1:01 left that might have pushed him to double digits.

He passed up another shot – even though he had a chance. 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 the proper way, they will repay you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Monumental Record

James's streak began over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the greatest streak of its kind in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list of 575 games.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the sport. He could have shot but due to his nature as a player and his personality as a person, he chose the pass, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been an afterthought long before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had attained ten points by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

Yet two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters had occurred recently: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. In the following contest, it concluded – but he still rejoiced all the same.

“I always just make the correct play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James said. “You make the right play, the basketball gods are always giving back to me.”