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James understood his incredible run of reaching double digits was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the basketball – so he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer had only a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

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

An Unselfish Decision Seals Victory

James could have sought to clinch the game – and extended the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to dish the ball to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Rui connected, with LeBron raised his arms immediately.

“Just playing the game the proper way. Always make the smart play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I learned to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

James is fully cognizant of his point total he's scored at all times,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted just as he has countless times.”

The Record's End Game

He returned to 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 a 3-for-15 performance then.

He scored with 1:46 left to tie the game then missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left that might have taken him to ten points.

He passed up a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron decided to make the extra pass instead.

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

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Run

The record started back in January 2007. It was, by far the greatest such streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone recorded at 575.

He is such an unselfish player,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the sport. He could have shot but given the player he is and just who he is off the court, he chose the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a formality early in the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had reached ten points entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters took place recently: He recorded nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in extend the streak against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – yet he was celebrating regardless.

My focus is to make the right play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. “You make the right play, the basketball gods are always returning the favor.”