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LeBron James was aware his incredible run of scoring in double figures was threatened. When it mattered most, however, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the basketball – so he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run was over.

James's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight total points during the Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, feeding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot as time expired.

“Nothing,” James replied in response about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Choice Secures the Win

James could have sought to clinch the contest – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to dish the ball to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron exulted immediately.

“Just playing the game the right way. Make the smart play,” James noted. “That’s just been my philosophy. That is the way I was taught the game. I’ve done that for two decades.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored during a game,” said Lakers coach the coach. He acted as he has done countless times.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the win and the streak on the line. He had six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a shot at 1:01 left which could have pushed him to ten points.

He didn’t take another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate gave James the ball in the waning seconds, however, James chose to dish it off instead.

The basketball deities, if you do it the right way, they will repay you,” Redick added.

The History of a Staggering Run

James's streak started over eighteen years ago. It was easily the most extended streak of its kind in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the sport. The chance was there but because of who he is on the court and his character as an individual, he made the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually a formality well before the final period. During James’s streak, he had attained the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

But two such games below ten points through three quarters had occurred just days before: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it was over – but he still rejoiced all the same.

“I always just make the correct play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James declared. When you make the right play, the basketball gods forever rewarding me.”