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The Lakers star knew his monumental run of scoring in double figures was threatened. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

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

James's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points ended during a recent game, as the league's career points king was limited to eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“None,” James replied when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Play Delivers Victory

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to pass to Rui on the wing. Rui connected, and James exulted immediately.

It's about playing the game the proper way. You always make the right play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my philosophy. That is the way I learned to play. I've played that way my whole career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of how many points he has at all times,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done countless times.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

He returned to the game one last time with just over five minutes left, the outcome and the streak up for grabs. He had only six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He scored at 1:46 left to knot the score then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left which could have pushed him to ten points.

He didn’t take another shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate gave James the ball as time wound down, however, James decided to dish it off instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the right way, they often reward you,” the coach concluded.

The History of an Unparalleled Run

The record began on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the most extended streak of its kind in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded at 575.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but due to his nature as a player and just who he is as an individual, he chose the team play, passed it to Rui and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a formality long before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had reached double figures entering the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

However, two of those rare single-digit games after three periods had occurred just days before: He recorded nine going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – and he celebrated anyway.

“I always just make the best play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James said. “You make the smart play, the basketball gods forever returning the favor.”