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LeBron James was aware his historic streak of putting up 10+ points was threatened. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move meant distributing the ball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded on Thursday night, when the league's career points king had only eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura for a triple at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James stated after being questioned about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Choice Seals the Game

He might have sought to clinch the game – and preserved his record – on the final possession, yet he opted to dish the ball to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, and James exulted triumphantly.

“Just playing the game correctly. You always make the smart play,” James remarked. That is how I operate. It's how I was taught to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

He is very conscious of his point total he's scored during a game,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He made the play as he has done throughout his career.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the outcome along with the historic run on the line. His tally was six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to knot the score and missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go that would have taken him to ten points.

He passed up a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, but James chose to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the right way, they will reward you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Staggering Streak

James's streak started on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the most extended double-digit streak in professional basketball: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman recorded with 575.

He is such a team-oriented player,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays hoops. The chance was there but because of who he is on the court and his personality off the court, he executed the team play, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a guarantee early in the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had reached the 10-point mark entering the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

However, two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had occurred just days before: He recorded nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to preserve the record against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – yet he was celebrating all the same.

I only ever make the right play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. “You make the unselfish play, the sports deities forever returning the favor.”