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LeBron James was aware his monumental streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move meant distributing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the legendary streak finished.

James's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“None,” James replied in response about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Selfless Decision Seals the Game

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – and extended his record – on the final possession, but he chose to dish the ball to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron celebrated with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Make the right play,” James noted. That is my philosophy. It's how I was taught the game. That's what I've done for two decades.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has at all times,” said the team's head coach the coach. He made the play like he’s done so many times.”

The Record's End Game

He returned to the game one last time at just over five minutes left, the outcome along with the historic run up for grabs. His tally was a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go which could have pushed him to double digits.

He passed up a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, however, James chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

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

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Run

This incredible run began back in January 2007. It stood as the greatest double-digit streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

He is such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but because of who he is on the court and his personality as an individual, he executed the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and we won the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought early in the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had attained the 10-point mark entering the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

However, two such single-digit games after three periods had occurred in the last week: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it concluded – yet he was celebrating regardless.

“I always just make the correct play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James declared. “You make the smart play, the game gods forever giving back to me.”