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The Lakers star knew his monumental streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, it was not his focus.

The right decision involved passing the rock – and he executed. With that selfless act, his remarkable run finished.

LeBron's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer finished with a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

“None,” James stated when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Play Secures the Win

He might have tried to secure the contest – and extended the streak – with the last shot, but he chose to make the extra pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron exulted with his hands in the air.

“Just playing basketball the right way. Always make the smart play,” James explained. That is how I operate. That’s how I learned the game. I've played that way my whole career.”

He is acutely aware exactly how many points he has at any point,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has countless times.”

The Run's End Game

He returned to the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the win and the streak both hanging in the balance. His tally was a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to knot the score but then missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go which could have pushed him to ten points.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate found him as time wound down, but James chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the proper way, they often bless you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Monumental Run

This incredible run started over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the greatest such streak in NBA history: MJ had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the sport. He could have shot but given the player he is and just who he is off the court, he chose the pass, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually an afterthought well before the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had attained the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

But two such games below ten points through three quarters had happened in the last week: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

“I always just make the right play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James affirmed. When you make the smart play, the sports deities forever rewarding me.”