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James understood his monumental streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. At the decisive instant, however, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision involved passing the basketball – and he executed. Following that play, his remarkable run finished.

James's staggering run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded during a recent game, when the league's career points king finished with a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He made the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot as time expired.

“Nothing,” James stated after being questioned about the streak ending. “We won.”

An Unselfish Choice Seals Victory

James could have sought to clinch the game – and preserved the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to dish the ball to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, and James raised his arms immediately.

It's about playing the game the right way. You always make the smart play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I was instructed the game. I've played that way my whole career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of how many points he has during a game,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done countless times.”

The Streak's End Game

He returned to the game one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win and his personal record up for grabs. He had six points on a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that would have pushed him to double digits.

He passed up one more attempt – but could have. A teammate found him as time wound down, however, James decided to make the extra pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the proper way, they tend to reward you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Monumental Run

James's streak started back in January 2007. It stood as the most extended streak of its kind in NBA history: MJ had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run with 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays hoops. He could have shot but given who he is on the court and his personality as an individual, he chose the unselfish play, found Rui and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a formality long before the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had attained double figures by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times before this game.

But two such games below ten points after three periods had occurred in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it concluded – and he celebrated all the same.

My focus is to make the right play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James declared. If you make the unselfish play, the game gods are always rewarding me.”