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LeBron James was aware his historic run of reaching double digits was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

The right decision meant distributing the rock – and he executed. With that selfless act, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer was limited to a mere eight points in the Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, feeding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot as time expired.

“None,” James said when asked on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Choice Secures the Game

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – while also extending the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Rui connected, prompting James celebrated immediately.

“Just playing basketball the proper way. Always make the right play,” James remarked. That has always been my philosophy. It's how I was taught to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

He is fully cognizant of how many points he has at all times,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done so many times.”

The Record's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the contest one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win and the streak both hanging in the balance. His tally was a mere six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to tie the game but then missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go which could have taken him to double digits.

He passed up another shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, however, James opted to dish it off instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it correctly, they often reward you,” Redick stated.

The History of an Unparalleled Record

James's streak commenced back in January 2007. It was easily the longest double-digit streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and Karl Malone recorded of 575 games.

He is such an unselfish player,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the game of basketball. He could have shot but due to the player he is and his character off the court, he executed the team play, dished to Hachimura and we won the game.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been an afterthought well before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had attained the 10-point mark entering the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

However, two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters took place recently: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it finished – yet he was celebrating anyway.

My focus is to make the best play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James affirmed. “You make the smart play, the game gods forever rewarding me.”