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LeBron James was aware his historic run of reaching double digits was threatened. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move meant distributing the basketball – and he executed. Consequently, the unprecedented record finished.

LeBron's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances was snapped on Thursday night, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to a mere eight points during the Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James replied when asked on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Decision Secures the Game

James could have tried to secure the contest – while also extending the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, and James exulted immediately.

You have to play the game the proper way. You always make the right play,” James explained. “That’s just been my philosophy. It's how I was instructed to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

James is fully cognizant of how many points he has at all times,” stated Lakers coach the coach. “He did it as he has done so many times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the contest one last time at 5:23 remaining, the win and his personal record both hanging in the balance. His tally was only six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.

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

He passed up a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him as time wound down, however, James opted to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the proper way, they tend to reward you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Staggering Record

This incredible run started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the greatest streak of its kind in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the game of basketball. The chance was there but due to the player he is and his character as a person, he executed the team play, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits had long been a formality well 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 games below ten points through three quarters had happened in the last week: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in extend the streak against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – and he celebrated regardless.

I only ever make the correct play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. When you make the smart play, the game gods forever returning the favor.”