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LeBron James was aware his incredible streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move meant distributing the ball – so he did. Following that play, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points ended on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight total points during the Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He made the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer to win the game.

“Zero,” James replied after being questioned about the streak ending. “We won.”

An Unselfish Choice Delivers the Win

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – and preserved his record – with the last shot, yet he opted to dish the ball to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, prompting James exulted with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game correctly. You always make the correct play,” James remarked. That is my M.O.. It's how I was taught to play. I've played that way my whole career.”

“LeBron is very conscious of his point total he's scored during a game,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has countless times.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the contest one last time with 5:23 remaining, the win and the streak both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had only six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He scored with 1:46 left to knot the score but then missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left which could have pushed him to double digits.

He passed up one more attempt – but could have. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, but James opted to make the extra pass instead.

The basketball deities, if you approach it the right way, they tend to bless you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Monumental Run

James's streak started over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the longest double-digit streak in professional basketball: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays hoops. The chance was there but because of the player he is and his character as an individual, he made the pass, found Rui and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a guarantee early in the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had reached ten points by the start of the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

But two of those rare single-digit games after three periods had occurred in the last week: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it concluded – but he still rejoiced regardless.

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. “You make the smart play, the basketball gods forever giving back to me.”