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LeBron James was aware his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the rock – and he executed. Consequently, his remarkable run finished.

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten ended on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He provided the decisive pass, feeding Rui Hachimura for a triple at the buzzer.

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

A Team-First Play Delivers the Win

James could have sought to clinch the contest – and extended the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Rui connected, prompting James celebrated immediately.

It's about playing basketball the proper way. Always make the smart play,” James remarked. That is my philosophy. It's how I was taught to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

James is acutely aware of how many points he's scored at any point,” stated the team's head coach the coach. “He did it as he has done so many times.”

The Run's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the contest one last time at just over five minutes left, the result along with the historic run on the line. He had only six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He scored at 1:46 left to level the contest and missed a 14-footer at one minute to go which could have taken him to double digits.

He didn’t take another shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves gave James the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron decided to dish it off instead.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the proper way, they tend to repay you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Record

This incredible run started back in January 2007. It stood as the longest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list at 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the sport. He had the opportunity but because of who he is on the court and just who he is as an individual, he executed the pass, passed it to Rui and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been an afterthought well before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

But two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters had happened recently: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, followed by six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. One game later, it concluded – but he still rejoiced all the same.

My focus is to make the correct play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. When you make the unselfish play, the sports deities consistently giving back to me.”