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The Lakers star knew his historic run of putting up 10+ points was at risk. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision meant distributing the ball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the legendary streak was over.

LeBron's astounding run of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points ended during a recent game, as basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple to win the game.

“Nothing,” James stated after being questioned on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Team-First Play Secures the Game

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to pass to his teammate in the left corner. Rui connected, with LeBron celebrated with his hands in the air.

You have to play the game the proper way. Always make the smart play,” James explained. That has always been my philosophy. That’s how I was taught the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he's scored at all times,” said Lakers coach the coach. “He did it just as he has throughout his career.”

The Run's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the win along with the historic run on the line. His tally was six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go which could have gotten him to double digits.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate passed him the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron opted to dish it off instead of shooting.

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

The History of a Monumental Streak

The record commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the greatest streak of its kind in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone recorded at 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the sport. The chance was there but because of the player he is and just who he is as an individual, he executed the team play, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a formality well before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had attained double figures entering the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

Yet two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods had happened in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – but he still rejoiced anyway.

My focus is to make the best play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. When you make the right play, the game gods forever giving back to me.”