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LeBron James was aware his monumental run of reaching double digits was threatened. When it mattered most, however, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision was to pass the ball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded this past Thursday, when the league's career points king finished with eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

“Nothing,” James said in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

An Unselfish Choice Seals the Win

James could have attempted to win the game – while also extending his record – on the final possession, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James raised his arms triumphantly.

“Just playing basketball correctly. Make the right play,” James noted. That has always been how I operate. That’s how I was instructed the game. I’ve done that for two decades.”

James is very conscious of how many points he's scored at any point,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has throughout his career.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome along with the historic run on the line. At that stage, he had only six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to tie the game but then missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left that might have gotten him into double figures.

He passed up a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, yet LeBron chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the right way, they often reward you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Monumental Streak

This incredible run started back in January 2007. It was, by far the most extended streak of its kind in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the sport. The chance was there but because of his nature as a player and just who he is as a person, he chose the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a formality long before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had reached the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

However, two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had happened in the last week: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. One game later, it was over – yet he was celebrating all the same.

I only ever make the right play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James said. When you make the smart play, the basketball gods consistently giving back to me.”